igneous
Granite
Granite (Felsic Intrusive Igneous Rock)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-tan, white, and grey with black specks; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) holocrystalline; Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pinkish-tan, white, and grey with black specks
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-tan, white, and grey with black specks; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) holocrystalline; Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface (plutonic). It is primarily composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica. This specific sample likely dates from the Precambrian to Cenozoic eras depending on the specific batholith it originated from.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, and monuments due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a granite batholith. It is one of the hardest and most common rocks found on the planet.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible, interlocking crystals of quartz (glassy) and feldspar (blocky). It is found globally in mountainous regions and continental shields like the Canadian Shield.
