igneous
Granite
Granite; primarily quartz, feldspar, and mica
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectCoarse-grained, speckled gray rock with pinkish feldspar, glassy quartz, and dark mica; Mohs hardness about 6–7, nonmetallic luster, interlocking crystals, and no prominent cleavage as a rock.
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Physical properties
Coarse-grained, speckled gray rock with pinkish feldspar, glassy quartz, and dark mica; Mohs hardness about 6–7, nonmetallic luster, interlocking crystals, and no prominent cleavage as a rock.
Formation & geological history
Forms when silica-rich magma cools slowly deep underground, allowing large crystals to develop; commonly Precambrian to Phanerozoic in age and later exposed by uplift and erosion.
Uses & applications
Widely used as dimension stone, countertops, monuments, paving, aggregate, and occasionally as polished decorative material; ordinary hand specimens have little commercial value.
Geological facts
Its visible grains are typically quartz, potassium feldspar, plagioclase, biotite, and minor accessory minerals. Pink or orange areas usually indicate potassium feldspar.
Field identification & locations
Identify it by its coarse, interlocking texture and light color with black mica and glassy quartz; common in continental mountain belts and glacial deposits worldwide. A hand lens and hardness test help distinguish it from finer-grained rocks.
