igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Plutonic Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Mottled white, pink, tan, with darker brown/grey patches. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Composition: Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Mottled white, pink, tan, with darker brown/grey patches
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Mottled white, pink, tan, with darker brown/grey patches. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Composition: Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface. It is a plutonic rock that cools over thousands of years, allowing large crystals to grow. Most granites date back to the Precambrian or Paleozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and monuments due to its durability and aesthetic appeal. It is also a source of silica and feldspar for industrial use.
Geological facts
Granite makes up the majority of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a massive granite batholith in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture and extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel knife). Commonly found in mountain ranges and ancient continental shields globally.
