igneous

Granite

Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs), Color: Speckled brown, tan, and black, Luster: Vitreous to dull, Crystal structure: Coarse-grained (Phaneritic), Cleavage: Varies by mineral constituent, Specific gravity: 2.63 - 2.75

Identified April 4, 2026More igneous →

Identify your own rocks.

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

App Store Google Play

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below the Earth's surface. It is a plutonic rock that makes up much of the continental crust, often dating back to various geological eras including the Precambrian.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and monuments due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.

Geological facts

Granite is one of the hardest substances in the world. It was used by Ancient Egyptians to build pyramids and remains the most common igneous rock found on Earth's continents.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its speckled 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. It is found in mountain ranges and continental shields worldwide.

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