igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Plutonic Felsic Rock (K-Feldspar + Quartz + Plagioclase)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Salt and pepper/light gray/pinkish; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals visible to the naked eye); Cleavage: Indistinct on rock level, dependent on mineral constituents; Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Salt and pepper/light gray/pinkish
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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 scale); Color: Salt and pepper/light gray/pinkish; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals visible to the naked eye); Cleavage: Indistinct on rock level, dependent on mineral constituents; Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth’s surface (intrusive). This specimen shows a phaneritic texture common in batholiths and mountain ranges. It can date back to any geological era based on location.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, and paving. Also used for monuments, sculptures, and as aggregate for roads and railways.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock found at the Earth's surface and makes up a significant portion of the continental crust. The Yosemite Valley in California is one of the most famous examples of massive granite formations.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its speckled 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals of quartz and feldspar. It is found in the cores of mountain ranges and weathered outcrops across all continents.
