igneous

Granite

Phaneritic Felsic Igneous Rock

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pinkish-gray mottled with black and white; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) featuring interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica; Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75

Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale
Color: Pinkish-gray mottled with black and white
Luster: Dull to vitreous

Identified March 24, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through the slow crystallization of silica-rich magma beneath the Earth's surface (intrusive). They can range from Archean to Cenozoic age, typically forming in continental crust above subduction zones or in orogenic belts.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stone, curbing, and monumental masonry. Also used as crushed stone (aggregate) for road base and concrete.

Geological facts

Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. El Capitan in Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous granite monoliths in the world. It is much harder than marble and resistant to acid rain.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for a 'salt and pepper' appearance with clearly visible, interlocking mineral grains. Found globally in mountainous regions and shield areas. For collectors, look for specimens with large 'phenocrysts' (extra large crystals).

Other igneous specimens

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Blue Apatite

Fluorapatite (Ca5(PO4)3F)

mineral

Dark Igneous Rock (Likely Basalt or Diabase)

Basalt (extrusive igneous rock) or Diabase (intrusive igneous rock - also known as Dolerite), largely composed of plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene (augite), and sometimes olivine and amphibole. Exact mineralogy would require thin section analysis.

Igneous