Igneous
Granite
Granite
Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Highly variable, commonly pink, gray, white, or red with dark specks. Luster: Dull to grainy, but takes a good polish. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (large, visible crystals). Cleavage: None for the rock as a whole, but individual minerals (like feldspar and mica) have cleavage.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on the Mohs scale
- Luster
- Dull to grainy, but takes a good polish
Identified More igneous →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on the Mohs scale. Color: Highly variable, commonly pink, gray, white, or red with dark specks. Luster: Dull to grainy, but takes a good polish. Crystal structure: Phaneritic (large, visible crystals). Cleavage: None for the rock as a whole, but individual minerals (like feldspar and mica) have cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). Composed mainly of quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of mica, amphiboles, and other minerals.
Uses & applications
Dimension stone, construction material, monuments, countertops, paving, landscaping.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common intrusive rock in Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the Latin word 'granum', meaning a grain, referring to its coarse-grained structure.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking crystals, hardness (scratches glass), and color variations (pink/red from K-feldspar, clear/grey from quartz, dark spots from mica/hornblende). Found worldwide in continental shields and mountain belts.
