igneous
Granite
Granite (Mainly Quartz, Alkali Feldspar, and Plagioclase)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled gray, white, and pinkish/reddish; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystalline); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Mottled gray, white, and pinkish/reddish
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
Identified More igneous →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Mottled gray, white, and pinkish/reddish; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystalline); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). They can be formed across various geological ages, notably during orogenic (mountain-building) events.
Uses & applications
Widely used in construction, countertops, floor tiles, curbing, monuments, and as crushed stone for road base.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a granite batholith in South Dakota, USA.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals of quartz and feldspar. It is commonly found in mountain ranges and ancient continental shields.
