igneous
Granite
Felsic intrusive igneous rock
Hardness: 6 on the Mohs scale. Color: Gray, pink, or white with dark speckles. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals). Specific gravity: 2.65 to 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6 on the Mohs scale
- Color
- Gray, pink, or white with dark speckles
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6 on the Mohs scale. Color: Gray, pink, or white with dark speckles. Luster: Dull to vitreous. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals). Specific gravity: 2.65 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used in construction, architectural buildings, monuments, countertops, and paving stones.
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 distinctive speckled appearance caused by interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and micas. Found globally in continental shields and mountain ranges.
