
igneous
Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock
Hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale, colors range from pink to gray depending on feldspar content, vitreous to dull luster, granular phaneritic crystal structure, specific gravity around 2.65-2.75.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6-7 on the Mohs scale, colors range from pink to gray depending on feldspar content, vitreous to dull luster, granular phaneritic crystal structure, specific gravity around 2.65-2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of magma rich in silica and alkali metal oxides deep underground, typically Precambrian to Cenozoic in age.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, countertops, monuments, architectural facing, and paving stones.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally durable against weathering.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its interlocking visible mineral grains of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Found in major mountain ranges and shields worldwide.