igneous
Granite
Intrusive igneous rock
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically gray, pink, or white with visible mineral crystals, dull to vitreous luster, phaneritic texture, and specific gravity around 2.65 to 2.75.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, typically gray, pink, or white with visible mineral crystals, dull to vitreous luster, phaneritic texture, and specific gravity around 2.65 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface over millions of years, commonly associated with continental tectonic plates.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, architectural building facades, monuments, countertops, and paving materials.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common rock type in the Earth's continental crust and is exceptionally durable against weathering.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its speckled appearance of interlocking quartz, feldspar, and mica crystals. Found globally in mountainous regions and continental shields.
