igneous
Polished granite pebble
Granite, a coarse-grained felsic plutonic rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectRounded and polished, mottled gray, cream, and brown, with a vitreous-to-dull luster and visible interlocking grains. Typical mineral hardness is about 6–7 Mohs; granite has no single crystal structure or cleavage.
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Physical properties
Rounded and polished, mottled gray, cream, and brown, with a vitreous-to-dull luster and visible interlocking grains. Typical mineral hardness is about 6–7 Mohs; granite has no single crystal structure or cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed as silica-rich magma cooled slowly underground, allowing crystals to grow; granite occurs in continental crust of many ages. The rounded shape likely results from natural abrasion or tumbling and polishing.
Uses & applications
Small polished specimens are used for collecting and decoration; granite is widely used in buildings, countertops, monuments, and paving.
Geological facts
Granite is a rock rather than a single mineral, and its appearance varies with the proportions of its constituent minerals.
Field identification & locations
Look for interlocking light quartz and feldspar grains with darker mica or other minerals; granite is common in continental mountain belts and ancient cratons. The image shows a small polished pebble, so exact identification is limited by scale.
