igneous
Granite
Granite (Mainly Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled cream, tan, and black; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Mottled cream, tan, and black
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled cream, tan, and black; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained); Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow cooling and crystallization of molten magma beneath the Earth's surface in plutons. Many specimens date back to the Precambrian era.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, flooring, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base and railway ballast.
Geological facts
Granite is the primary component of the Earth's continental crust. Its name comes from the Latin 'granum', meaning a grain.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking granular texture and presence of quartz. Commonly found in mountain ranges and continental shield areas like the Appalachians or the Canadian Shield.
