igneous

Granite

Phaneritic plutonic felsic rock

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs; Color: Mottled white, pink, gray, and black; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained visible crystals); Cleavage: Primarily dictated by feldspar components; Specific gravity: 2.63 to 2.75

Hardness: 6-7 Mohs
Color: Mottled white, pink, gray, and black
Luster: Vitreous to pearly

Identified March 24, 2026More igneous →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed from the slow subterranean cooling of silica-rich magma (plutonic) within the Earth's crust. It is primarily found in continental crust and can range in age from the Precambrian era to the Cenozoic.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in construction for countertops, floor tiles, paving stones, and memorial monuments due to its durability and aesthetic appeal.

Geological facts

Granite makes up the majority of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a massive granite batholith, and the rock is known for its ability to withstand significant weathering over thousands of years.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its speckled, 'salt and pepper' appearance and visible interlocking crystals of quartz, feldspar, and mica. It is commonly found in mountain ranges and shield regions like the Canadian Shield or the Appalachians.

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