igneous
Granite
Granite (composed mainly of Quartz, Potassium Feldspar, Plagioclase, and Biotite/Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown, tan, grey, and black inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Texture: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.65-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Reddish-brown, tan, grey, and black inclusions
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Reddish-brown, tan, grey, and black inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Texture: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.65-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma deep beneath the Earth's surface (intrusive igneous). It can form in continental crust across various geological eras, commonly within batholiths and plutons.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, architectural dimension stone, kitchen countertops, paving stones, monuments, and aggregate for concrete and roadbeds.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore in South Dakota is carved directly into a granite outcrop.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its interlocking, visible coarse grains of quartz, feldspar, and dark minerals (like biotite or hornblende). Found worldwide in mountain ranges and eroded shield regions.
