igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Plutonic Rock (primarily SiO2, Al2O3, K2O, Na2O)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Grayish-white with salt-and-pepper flecks. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline texture with visible crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Grayish-white with salt-and-pepper flecks
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Grayish-white with salt-and-pepper flecks. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline texture with visible crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of silica-rich magma deep beneath the Earth's surface (plutonic). Found in continental crust throughout geological history, often in the core of mountain ranges.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and monuments due to its durability and aesthetic appeal. Also used as crushed stone in roadbeds.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock found on Earth's continental crust. It is so durable that the Great Pyramid of Giza contains huge granite blocks that have survived for millennia.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'mosaic' of visible minerals. It will not be scratched by a steel blade. Commonly found in mountains or as glacial erratic stones. Look for the sparkle of quartz and the blocky shape of feldspar crystals.
