igneous
Granite
Intrusive Igneous Rock
Mohs hardness of 6-7; colors range from pink, white, gray, to black depending on mineral content; vitreous to dull luster; phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure with visible interlocking mineral grains.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 6-7; colors range from pink, white, gray, to black depending on mineral content; vitreous to dull luster; phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystal structure with visible interlocking mineral grains.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and solidification of magma deep beneath the Earth's continental crust over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, countertops, monuments, floor tiles, and architectural facing stone.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock of the Earth's continental crust and is frequently found in major mountain ranges around the world.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its speckled pink, white, and black appearance composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and biotite mica. Common worldwide in shields and orogenic belts.
