igneous

Granite

Phaneritic Igneous Rock (primarily Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica)

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Mixed shades of white, grey, pink, and black; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs)
Color: Mixed shades of white, grey, pink, and black
Luster: Vitreous to pearly

Identified April 7, 2026More igneous →

Identify your own rocks.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs); Color: Mixed shades of white, grey, pink, and black; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75

Formation & geological history

Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). They are typically of Precambrian to Cenozoic age, found in continental crustal plates.

Uses & applications

Used extensively in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stone, monuments, and as crushed stone for aggregate.

Geological facts

Granite makes up the bulk of the Earth's continental crust. El Capitan in Yosemite National Park is a famous granite monolith. It is one of the hardest and most durable common natural stones.

Field identification & locations

Look for a 'salt and pepper' appearance with visible interlocking crystals of quartz (clear/grey) and feldspar (white/pink). Found in mountainous regions or areas with exposed continental shields. It will scratch glass but not easily be scratched by steel.

Other igneous specimens

See all

Blue Apatite

Fluorapatite (Ca5(PO4)3F)

mineral

Dark Igneous Rock (Likely Basalt or Diabase)

Basalt (extrusive igneous rock) or Diabase (intrusive igneous rock - also known as Dolerite), largely composed of plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene (augite), and sometimes olivine and amphibole. Exact mineralogy would require thin section analysis.

Igneous

Magnetite

Iron(II,III) oxide (Fe3O4)

mineral

Sodalite

Sodalite - Na8(Al6Si6O24)Cl2

mineral

Blue Apatite

Apatite (Group), Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH)

mineral

Magnetite

Magnetite (Fe3O4)

mineral