igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Light-colored with dark patches (salt-and-pepper appearance), typically shades of white, pink, gray, or black. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals). Specific gravity: 2.65-2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on the Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Light-colored with dark patches (salt-and-pepper appearance), typically shades of white, pink, gray, or black. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals). Specific gravity: 2.65-2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface. It is composed mainly of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase, along with minor dark minerals like biotite mica and hornblende.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction for dimensional stone, floor tiles, architectural facades, and monuments, as well as for kitchen countertops.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of the Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally durable against weathering.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its speckled, interlocking crystal texture consisting of translucent quartz, white/pink feldspar, and dark flakes of mica or amphibole. Found globally in continental shields and mountain roots.
