igneous
Granite
Intrusive Felsic Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (white, grey, and black); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals); Cleavage: None (fractures); Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Salt and pepper (white, grey, and black)
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Salt and pepper (white, grey, and black); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals); Cleavage: None (fractures); Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It is a major component of the continental crust and can range from Precambrian to Cenozoic in age.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, and monuments due to its durability and aesthetics.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a granite batholith in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture where individual minerals like quartz, feldspar, and biotite are visible to the naked eye. Found globally in mountainous regions.
