igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, salt-and-pepper (white k-feldspar, gray quartz, black biotite/hornblende); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarsegrained) granular; Cleavage: None (grains fracture)
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, salt-and-pepper (white k-feldspar, gray quartz, black biotite/hornblende); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarsegrained) granular; Cleavage: None (grains fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). They belong to many geological ages, from the Archean to the Cenozoic, typically in continental crust mountain belts.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone or aggregate for road building.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock found on Earth's continental crust. El Capitan in Yosemite National Park is one of the world's most famous giant granite monoliths.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture where minerals are large enough to see with the naked eye. Found in continental volcanic arcs and mountain roots. Common in various regions globally.
