igneous
Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6 on the Mohs scale. Color: Varies widely (pink, white, gray, yellow speckled with dark minerals). Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phanagritic (coarse-grained visible crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica). Specific gravity: 2.65 to 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6 on the Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6 on the Mohs scale. Color: Varies widely (pink, white, gray, yellow speckled with dark minerals). Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phanagritic (coarse-grained visible crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica). Specific gravity: 2.65 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of magma rich in silica and alkali metals far beneath the Earth's surface. Geological age spans from the Precambrian to recent times.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for dimensional stone, countertops, floor tiles, curbing, monuments, and aggregate.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common plutonic rock of Earth's crust and forms the core of many major mountain ranges.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its distinct salt-and-pepper or speckled crystalline texture with visible interlocking mineral grains. Found worldwide in continental shields and mountain roots.
