Igneous
Granite
Granite
Hard, coarse-grained, consisting mostly of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. Color varies from pink to light gray or white. Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Specific gravity: 2.65-2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hard, coarse-grained, consisting mostly of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. Color varies from pink to light gray or white. Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Luster: Vitreous to dull. Specific gravity: 2.65-2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow cooling and crystallization of magma beneath the Earth's surface (plutonic). Can range in age from Precambrian to recent.
Uses & applications
Widely used as a dimensional stone in construction, monuments, paving, countertops, and flooring. Also used as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite is the most common plutonic rock in the Earth's continental crust. El Capitan in Yosemite National Park is a massive granite monolith.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its visible, interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Commonly found in continental crust regions worldwide. Easy to collect in many mountainous or glaciated areas.
