igneous
Granite
Phaneritic Igneous Rock (Granite)
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pinkish-white with black and gray speckles; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained minerals visible to the naked eye); Cleavage: Distinct in feldspar components.
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Color
- Pinkish-white with black and gray speckles
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Pinkish-white with black and gray speckles; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained minerals visible to the naked eye); Cleavage: Distinct in feldspar components.
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of silica-rich magma below the Earth's surface in continental crust. This specimen likely contains orthoclase feldspar (pink), quartz (white/clear), and biotite or hornblende (black).
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction, countertops, monuments, paving stones, and as crushed stone for road base. Due to its durability and aesthetic appeal, it is a primary decorative building stone.
Geological facts
Granite is the primary rock type making up the Earth's continental crust. Most granite intrusions formed during periods of mountain building throughout Earth's history, spanning from the Archean to the Cenozoic.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its interlocking coarse grains of varying colors (pink, white, black) and extreme hardness (cannot be scratched by a steel blade). It is one of the most common rocks found in continental mountain ranges.
