igneous
Granite
Phaneritic plutonic rock (Quartz, Feldspar, Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, gray, and black mottled patterns; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (visible crystals); Cleavage: None (fractures)
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, gray, and black mottled patterns
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, gray, and black mottled patterns; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (visible crystals); Cleavage: None (fractures)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface. Often found in continental crust and batholiths, ranging from millions to billions of years old.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and monuments due to its durability and aesthetic appeal. Often collected as river stones.
Geological facts
Granite is one of the hardest substances in the world next to diamonds. It makes up a large portion of the continental crust and is frequently rounded into pebbles by water erosion.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its salt-and-pepper appearance with pink or white feldspar and clear quartz grains. Common in riverbeds and mountainous glacial till.
