What's That Rock?Granite
A common light-colored igneous rock with visible grains of quartz, feldspar and mica. It forms from slowly cooled magma deep underground.
How to identify Granite
- Speckled with visible interlocking grains
- Pink or white blocky feldspar, gray glassy quartz, black mica or hornblende
- Feels hard and rough
Often confused with
- Gneissbanded
- Diorite
- Syenite
Is Granite valuable?
Common.
What changes the price
- Common rock: very low value as a specimen
- Countertop and building granite is priced by area, color and thickness
- Rare colors and patterns of dimension stone (such as blue granite) cost more
Uses
- Building stone, countertops, monuments
Care
Safe to wash.
Identifying a stone from a description or a photo is an estimate. Many stones look alike. Ask an expert or a gem lab before you buy, sell or rely on an identification.
Updated October 2026