igneous
Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale; color typically ranges from pink, white, grey to red depending on its mineral content; luster is generally dull to vitreous; phaneritic crystal structure with visible grains of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale; color typically ranges from pink, white, grey to red depending on its mineral content; luster is generally dull to vitreous; phaneritic crystal structure with visible grains of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of magma rich in silica and alkali metal oxides beneath the Earth's surface over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, monuments, flooring, countertops, and decorative stone.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of the Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally durable against weathering.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its speckled, coarse-grained appearance containing interlocking mineral crystals; found globally in continental shields and mountain ranges.
