igneous
Granite (specifically the Ubatuba variety)
Phaneritic Igneous Rock (Granodiorite/Monzogranite)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale. Color: Dark green to black with gold, brown, and gray flecks. Luster: Vitreous to pearly (due to mica/labradorite). Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Cleavage: Varies by mineral (feldspar has perfect cleavage).
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Dark green to black with gold, brown, and gray flecks
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly (due to mica/labradorite)
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: Dark green to black with gold, brown, and gray flecks. Luster: Vitreous to pearly (due to mica/labradorite). Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained). Cleavage: Varies by mineral (feldspar has perfect cleavage).
Formation & geological history
Formed from the slow cooling and crystallization of molten magma deep beneath the Earth's surface (plutonic). This specific commercial variety is often Precambrian in age.
Uses & applications
Primarily used as a decorative dimension stone for kitchen countertops, flooring, and tiling due to its high durability and aesthetic appeal.
Geological facts
Commercial 'granite' like Ubatuba is often technically a charnockite or granodiorite. It contains significant amounts of potassium feldspar, quartz, and pyroxene.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking crystal grains and high hardness (will scratch glass). Commonly quarried in Brazil (state of Espírito Santo). Professional installers look for uniform grain distribution.
