igneous
Granodiorite
Granodiorite
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Salt-and-pepper (gray, white, black); Luster: Phaneritic (crystalline); Crystal structure: Coarse-grained intrusive; Cleavage: Specific to mineral components (feldspar/mica); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Salt-and-pepper (gray, white, black)
- Luster
- Phaneritic (crystalline)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Salt-and-pepper (gray, white, black); Luster: Phaneritic (crystalline); Crystal structure: Coarse-grained intrusive; Cleavage: Specific to mineral components (feldspar/mica); Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma beneath the Earth's surface. It is typical of continental crust and often found in mountain-building zones (batholiths). Most specimens range from Mesozoic to Cenozoic in age.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction as crushed stone or road base. Polished slabs are used for countertops, memorials, and architectural cladding. It is a major industrial aggregate.
Geological facts
Granodiorite is the intermediate rock between granite and diorite. One of the most famous historical uses of granodiorite is the Rosetta Stone, which was carved into a slab of this material.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its coarse, speckled appearance and the presence of visible quartz alongside more plagioclase feldspar than orthoclase. Commonly found in large mountain ranges like the Sierra Nevada.
