igneous
Granite
Granite
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale. Colors typically include pink, white, grey, or black depending on the feldspar and quartz content. Luster is generally dull to vitreous. Crystal structure is phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals). Specific gravity is around 2.65 to 2.75.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale. Colors typically include pink, white, grey, or black depending on the feldspar and quartz content. Luster is generally dull to vitreous. Crystal structure is phaneritic (coarse-grained, visible crystals). Specific gravity is around 2.65 to 2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma beneath the Earth's surface over millions of years. It is one of the most abundant rock types in the Earth's continental crust.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, countertops, monuments, floor tiles, and curbing due to its high durability and resistance to weathering.
Geological facts
Granite is the defining rock of the continental crust. It forms the core of many major mountain ranges, such as the Sierra Nevada in California.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its speckled pink, white, and black appearance showing interlocking mineral grains of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. Found globally in shield areas and mountain belts.
