igneous
Granite
Felsic Plutonic Igneous Rock
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, and gray with dark specks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, white, and gray with dark specks
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, and gray with dark specks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep underground (plutons). Granite is a major component of the continental crust, with some formations dating back billions of years to the Precambrian era.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction, countertops, monuments, floor tiles, and as crushed stone for road base. Specimens are also popular for educational collections.
Geological facts
Granite is one of the hardest and most durable natural stones, which is why it has been used for monuments like Mount Rushmore and the base of the Statue of Liberty.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its speckled appearance and visible interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. This specific specimen appears to be a stream-rounded cobble, likely found in glacial till or riverbeds in continental regions.
