igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Plutonic Felsic Rock (SiO2, KAlSi3O8, NaAlSi3O8, CaAl2Si2O8)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, gray, white, and black speckled pattern; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Cleavage: None (minerals within have cleavage, but the rock fractures unevenly).
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, gray, white, and black speckled pattern
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, gray, white, and black speckled pattern; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Cleavage: None (minerals within have cleavage, but the rock fractures unevenly).
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of silica-rich magma beneath the Earth's surface (intrusive). Geological age varies from Precambrian to Cenozoic. It forms the bulk of the Earth's continental crust.
Uses & applications
Construction (countertops, floor tiles, paving), monuments, sculpture carving, and road aggregate. Highly valued for durability and resistance to weathering.
Geological facts
Granite is one of the hardest natural stones. Mount Rushmore and the base of the Statue of Liberty are made of granite. The pink color is caused by the presence of Potassium Feldspar.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture; it contains visible grains of quartz, feldspar, and dark biotite or amphibole. Found globally in mountainous regions and shield areas like the Canadian Shield.
