Granite

Physical Properties

Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pink/salmon, white, and black mottled; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Coarse-grained (phaneritic); Composition: Orthoclase feldspar, quartz, and hornblende/biotite.

Formation & Geological History

Formed from the slow cooling of silica-rich magma deep underground (plutonic). It can range from hundreds of millions to billions of years old, often forming the core of continental crust.

Uses & Applications

Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, curbing, and as a dimension stone for monuments and gravestones.

Geological Facts

Granite is one of the hardest and most durable rocks on Earth. The Pink Granite Coast in Brittany, France, and the granite monoliths of Yosemite National Park are famous geological sites featuring this rock.

Field Identification & Locations

Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' or 'mottled' texture where large crystals are visible to the naked eye. It is found in large mountain ranges and shield areas globally.

Identified on: 4/25/2026

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