igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Plutonic Rock (Potassium Feldspar-rich)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, white, and gray speckled; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Cleavage: None (fractures); Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- Pink, white, and gray speckled
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, white, and gray speckled; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Cleavage: None (fractures); Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. This specimen shows a high concentration of orthoclase feldspar giving it a pinkish hue. It originates from deep crustal plutons often millions of years old.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, countertops, monuments, paving stones, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite is one of the most common rocks in the Earth's continental crust. It is extremely durable and resistant to weathering, which is why it is used for ancient monuments that last for millennia.
Field identification & locations
Identifiable by its 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Commonly found in mountainous regions or as glacial erratics in the field.
