igneous
Granite
Phaneritic plutonic rock (Quartz, Feldspar, Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: typically mottled pink, gray, or white; Luster: dull to vitreous; Structure: phaneritic (coarsegrained crystals); Cleavage: none (irregular fracture)
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- typically mottled pink, gray, or white
- Luster
- dull to vitreous
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: typically mottled pink, gray, or white; Luster: dull to vitreous; Structure: phaneritic (coarsegrained crystals); Cleavage: none (irregular fracture)
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and crystallization of silica-rich magma beneath the Earth's surface (plutonic) over millions of years, typically in continental crustal settings.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base and concrete aggregate.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common igneous rock found on Earth's continents and makes up the core of many major mountain ranges. It is one of the hardest natural stones available for commercial use.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its visible interlocking crystals of quartz (glassy), feldspar (opaque white/pink), and dark minerals like biotite. It is found globally in large batholiths and mountain cores.
