igneous
Granite
Phaneritic plutonic felsic igneous rock
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: salt-and-pepper (white, grey, and pinkish); Luster: dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: phaneritic (large, visible grains of quartz, feldspar, and mica).
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- salt-and-pepper (white, grey, and pinkish)
- Luster
- dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: salt-and-pepper (white, grey, and pinkish); Luster: dull to vitreous; Crystal structure: phaneritic (large, visible grains of quartz, feldspar, and mica).
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and crystallization of molten magma deep within the Earth's crust. Most granite deposits date back to the Precambrian or Paleozoic eras.
Uses & applications
Widely used for construction, decorative stone, kitchen countertops, monuments, and as crushed stone for road building.
Geological facts
Granite is one of the most common rocks on the Earth's continental crust. It is so durable that the Great Pyramid of Giza contains huge granite blocks that have survived for millennia.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking crystalline texture and lack of layering. It is found in large mountain-building plutons. Collectors look for unique color variations or large inclusions.
