igneous
Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, colors vary from pink to gray depending on mineral content, phaneritic (coarse-grained) texture, dull to vitreous luster.
Identified More igneous →
Explore Granite in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, colors vary from pink to gray depending on mineral content, phaneritic (coarse-grained) texture, dull to vitreous luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of magma underneath the Earth's crust, occurring over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Commonly used in construction, architectural buildings, countertops, and monuments.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of the Earth's continental crust and is unique to Earth among the terrestrial planets.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its visible interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica; found worldwide in continental shields and mountain ranges.
