igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Intrusive Igneous Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (white, gray, black, pink); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Composition: Quartz, Feldspar, Mica; Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Salt and pepper (white, gray, black, pink)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (white, gray, black, pink); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Composition: Quartz, Feldspar, Mica; Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface (intrusive). Most continental granite dates from the Precambrian or Paleozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite makes up the bulk of the Earth's continental crust. It is one of the hardest and most durable natural stones, which is why it has been used in architecture since Ancient Egypt.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking crystalline texture and visible minerals (clear quartz, opaque white/pink feldspar, and black biotite/hornblende). It is ubiquitous in mountainous regions and continental shields like the Canadian Shield.
