igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Felsic Intrusive Igneous Rock
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, colors vary from pink to gray depending on feldspar content, vitreous to dull luster, interlocking crystalline structure, specific gravity around 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, colors vary from pink to gray depending on feldspar content, vitreous to dull luster, interlocking crystalline structure, specific gravity around 2.65 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and solidification of magma rich in silica and alkali aluminosilicates deep beneath the Earth's surface over millions of years
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, architectural buildings, monuments, countertops, and decorative stone
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of the Earth's continental crust and forms the core of many major mountain ranges
Field identification & locations
Easily identifiable by its visibly speckled, interlocking mineral grains of quartz, feldspar, and mica; found globally in shields and continental cratons
