igneous

Granite

Granite (Alkali-feldspar granite)

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Pink, grey, and white with speckled green/black; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Cleavage: None (minerals within have cleavage); Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs
Color: Pink, grey, and white with speckled green/black
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified June 4, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. High silica content suggests continental crust origin, often dating back to the Precambrian or Paleozoic eras.

Uses & applications

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

Geological facts

Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. El Capitan in Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous granite monoliths in the world.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its interlocking mineral crystals (quartz, feldspar, and mica) large enough to see with the naked eye. Commonly found in mountain ranges and continental shields.

Other igneous specimens

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Granite

Igneous

Granite

Igneous

Blue Apatite

Fluorapatite (Ca5(PO4)3F)

mineral

Dalmatian Jasper

Aplite with Arfvedsonite inclusions

igneous

Magnetite

Iron(II,III) oxide (Fe3O4)

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