igneous
Granite
Felsic intrusive igneous rock
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Varies widely (pink, white, gray, black) with a speckled appearance. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals). Specific gravity: 2.65 - 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Varies widely (pink, white, gray, black) with a speckled appearance. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals). Specific gravity: 2.65 - 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface over millions of years. Common in continental crusts.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, monuments, countertops, flooring, and curbing due to its high durability.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common intrusive rock of the Earth's continental crust and is famously found in mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinct salt-and-pepper or pink-and-black speckled look with interlocking mineral grains of quartz, feldspar, and micas. Found globally in continental shields.
