igneous
Granite
Felsic intrusive igneous rock
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, white, gray, or black with a phaneritic (coarse-grained) texture, vitreous to dull luster, and poor to indistinct cleavage. Specific gravity ranges from 2.65 to 2.75.
Identified More igneous →
Explore Granite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically pink, white, gray, or black with a phaneritic (coarse-grained) texture, vitreous to dull luster, and poor to indistinct cleavage. Specific gravity ranges from 2.65 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface over millions of years, commonly found in continental crusts.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, monuments, countertops, paving, and architectural facing.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common plutonic rock on Earth's surface and forms the core of many major mountain ranges.
Field identification & locations
Easily identifiable in the field by its interlocking visible crystals of quartz, feldspar, and dark minerals like biotite or hornblende. Commonly found globally in shields and orogenic belts.
