igneous

Granite

Granite (Phaneritic Igneous Rock)

Hardness (6-7), Color: Salt-and-pepper (gray, white, black), Luster: Dull to vitreous, Crystal structure: Intrusive Phaneritic (coarse crystals visible), Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75

Identified May 27, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Hardness (6-7), Color: Salt-and-pepper (gray, white, black), Luster: Dull to vitreous, Crystal structure: Intrusive Phaneritic (coarse crystals visible), Specific Gravity: 2.63 - 2.75

Formation & geological history

Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. Found in continental crust, often formed during orogenic (mountain-building) events across various geological eras.

Uses & applications

Widely used in construction, countertops, flooring, monuments, and as crushed stone for road aggregate.

Geological facts

Granite makes up a large part of the continental crust. The black spots are typically biotite or hornblende, while the white/gray parts are quartz and feldspar.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by the interlocking mosaic of visible minerals and its extreme hardness. Found globally in mountainous regions and shield areas.

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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