What Type of Rock is Granite?

What is Granite?

Granite is an intrusive igneous rock composed primarily of the minerals quartz and feldspar. Smaller amounts of other minerals, including hornblende and mica, are also present.

Granite is a rock, not a mineral.

Granite makes up an important part of the continental crust, which is the layer of Earth we live on. It forms well below the surface as molten magma intrudes into surrounding rock and cools very slowly under intense pressure, allowing crystals to grow.

Granite crystals are often large and clearly visible because of the long cooling process, which can take thousands to millions of years.

What is Granite Used for? 

Granite has many uses due to its strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal. It's widely used for kitchen worktops and fireplace surrounds, and once fitted, rarely needs to be replaced.

It's also used for sculptures, gravestone markers and memorials. 

One of the most popular stones in the building trade, granite is exceptionally hard, resists weathering and can bear significant weight. It's best known for its mottled pink, white and grey colour.

Granite was widely used in ancient Egypt, particularly for carving obelisks and for the chambers of the Great Pyramid. In South Dakota, the heads of four U.S. presidents are carved into the granite face of Mount Rushmore. 

The colour and pattern of granite are determined by the minerals present, such as quartz or feldspar. Although white, grey and pink are the most common, granite occurs in many colours, including green, blue, brown, yellow, and gold.

Article Photos

The granite at the top of our article is on display in London's Natural History Museum. Photo: Stone Mania. 

The second photo is porphyritic granite. Photo courtesy of Stan Celestian. Both images are clickable and redirect to the original photo.

Pop-up image: Mica (muscovite mica): Courtesy of Stan Celestian.