igneous
Granite
Granite (phaneitic intrusive igneous rock)
Hardness (Mohs scale): 6 to 7. Color: gray, pink, and white. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline. Cleavage: Indistinct on the rock level, though individual mica/feldspar grains show cleavage. Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
- Color
- gray, pink, and white
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness (Mohs scale): 6 to 7. Color: gray, pink, and white. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline. Cleavage: Indistinct on the rock level, though individual mica/feldspar grains show cleavage. Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It can be found in continental crust and is typically formed during Orogenic (mountain-building) events. Age ranges from billions of years (Precambrian) to relatively recent eras.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, and monuments. High-quality specimens are used in architectural cladding.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock found on Earth's continents. The iconic peaks of the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite National Park are formed primarily of granite.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' appearance of quartz, feldspar, and dark minerals (mica or hornblende). It is ubiquitous in mountainous regions and glacial deposits.
