igneous
Granite
Felsic intrusive igneous rock
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, composed primarily of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase, with visible grains (phaneritic texture). Colors typically range from pink to gray depending on the feldspar content. Luster is vitreous to dull.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, composed primarily of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase, with visible grains (phaneritic texture). Colors typically range from pink to gray depending on the feldspar content. Luster is vitreous to dull.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface over millions of years, commonly associated with continental crust and mountain-building processes.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for dimension stone, countertops, floor tiles, curbing, and monuments.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally durable against weathering.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its speckled, coarse-grained appearance containing interlocking crystals of light-colored quartz/feldspar and dark minerals like biotite mica or amphibole. Found globally in continental shields and mountain ranges.
