igneous
Granite
Granite (Phaneritic Quartz-Feldspar rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled grey, white, and pinkish tones; Luster: Dull to sub-vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (visible crystals); Composition: Primarily quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase feldspar.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Mottled grey, white, and pinkish tones
- Luster
- Dull to sub-vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled grey, white, and pinkish tones; Luster: Dull to sub-vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (visible crystals); Composition: Primarily quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase feldspar.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It is a coarse-grained, intrusive igneous rock that can date back billions of years to the Precambrian era.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and monuments due to its extreme durability and resistance to weathering.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. It is one of the hardest natural substances on Earth, second only to diamonds and some other rare minerals.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals. Common in mountain ranges and shields. Collectors look for unique color variations or large crystal inclusions.
