igneous
Granite
Granite (composed primarily of Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, grey, or tan; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink, white, grey, or tan
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More igneous →
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink, white, grey, or tan; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained crystals); Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75
Formation & geological history
Formed by the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface. It is a plutonic rock found in continental crust and mountain ranges, often billions of years old.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, 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 was carved into a huge granite batholith in South Dakota.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its speckled 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals. Common in mountain ranges and shields like the Canadian Shield.
