igneous
Granite
Phaneritic plutonic igneous rock (felsic)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper appearance with pink, white, and black; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (visible coarse grains); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Salt and pepper appearance with pink, white, and black
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper appearance with pink, white, and black; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (visible coarse grains); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. High in silica and alkali metals. Can be billions of years old, often forming the core of continental plates.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite is one of the hardest and most common rocks on Earth's surface. The iconic peaks of Yosemite National Park and Mount Rushmore are carved from granite.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its speckled, coarse-grained texture. Look for square-ish pink or white crystals (feldspar), glassy clear/grey grains (quartz), and black flecks (mica or hornblende). Found in mountainous regions and glacial tills.
