igneous
Granite
Granite
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Speckled with pink, white, gray, and black minerals; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Speckled with pink, white, gray, and black minerals
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Speckled with pink, white, gray, and black minerals; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep underground (plutonic). It can range from hundreds of millions to billions of years old.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and monuments due to its durability.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. It is a major component of mountain ranges like the Sierras and the Alps.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking grains of quartz (translucent), feldspar (opaque white/pink), and mica (shiny black/silver flakes). Found globally in continental shields and mountain belts.
