igneous
Graphic Granite
Pegmatitic Granite (Quartz and Microcline KAlSi3O8)
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: White/clear quartz and salmon-pink/cream feldspar; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Monoclinic intergrowth; Specific gravity: 2.5-2.7.
- Hardness
- 6-7 Mohs
- Color
- White/clear quartz and salmon-pink/cream feldspar
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: White/clear quartz and salmon-pink/cream feldspar; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Monoclinic intergrowth; Specific gravity: 2.5-2.7.
Formation & geological history
Formed in the late stages of magma cooling within pegmatite veins, where simultaneous crystallization of quartz and feldspar creates a runic intergrowth pattern.
Uses & applications
Used in jewelry as cabochons, interior architecture (countertops), and as decorative stones for landscaping and specimen collecting.
Geological facts
The name comes from the Greek word 'grapho' meaning 'to write,' because the intergrowth resembles ancient runic or cuneiform script.
Field identification & locations
Identified by the distinct 'runic' texture of dark/clear quartz 'characters' embedded in a feldspar matrix. Commonly found in pegmatite fields in South Dakota, Brazil, and Scandinavia.
