igneous
Weathered granite or granitic pegmatite fragment
Granite; chiefly quartz, feldspar, and mica (variable composition)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectTypically pale gray to white with darker mica or amphibole; coarse, interlocking crystalline texture, vitreous quartz luster, uneven fracture, and Mohs hardness about 6–7. The blurred hand-held piece appears light-colored and granular, but fine details are insufficient for confident mineral identification.
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Physical properties
Typically pale gray to white with darker mica or amphibole; coarse, interlocking crystalline texture, vitreous quartz luster, uneven fracture, and Mohs hardness about 6–7. The blurred hand-held piece appears light-colored and granular, but fine details are insufficient for confident mineral identification.
Formation & geological history
Forms when silica-rich magma cools slowly underground, producing visible crystals; most exposed granite is Precambrian to younger Phanerozoic in age. Fragments commonly result from weathering, quarrying, or crushed-rock aggregate.
Uses & applications
Widely used as construction aggregate, road base, landscaping stone, building stone, and countertops; attractive pieces may be collected but are generally not gemstone material.
Geological facts
Granite is defined by abundant quartz and alkali feldspar; specimens can resemble quartzite, gneiss, or weathered feldspar-rich rock. A fresh broken surface is more diagnostic than a weathered one.
Field identification & locations
Common worldwide, especially in continental shields, mountain batholiths, and glacial deposits. Look for interlocking quartz and feldspar grains, black mica flakes, and no vesicles or layering; a hand lens and scratch test help distinguish it from softer sedimentary rocks.
