
igneous
Granite
Felsic intrusive igneous rock
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Varies from white, pink, gray to black depending on mineral composition; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals); Specific Gravity: 2.65-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Varies from white, pink, gray to black depending on mineral composition; Luster: Dull to vitreous; 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 over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, architectural buildings, countertops, monuments, and curbing.
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 grains of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Found globally in mountainous regions and shield areas.