igneous
Granite
Phaneritic plutonic rock (SiO2 rich)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (white/grey with black flecks); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals); Gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Salt and pepper (white/grey with black flecks)
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (white/grey with black flecks); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals); Gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of silica-rich magma beneath the Earth's surface in continental crust plutons. Most granite dates from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, and as dimension stone for monuments and buildings.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the Latin 'granum', meaning a grain, in reference to its coarse-grained structure.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its visible interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Common in mountain ranges and Shields. It does not react with acid and is scratch-resistant.
