Granite is a coarse-grained, intrusive igneous rock formed primarily from quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. It is recognized by its speckled appearance of light and dark minerals and is the most common rock of the continental crust, widely used in construction and sculpture.

Hardness

6-7

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Opaque

igneouscommon

Granite

Hardness: 6-7
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Opaque

Is this granite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch granite with a known reference. Granite sits at Mohs 6-7 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Granite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Granite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: white, gray, pink, red.
5
Look at form & habit
Typical habit: granular.

Often confused with

Granite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside granite

Minerals reported to co-occur with granite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Mohs hardness: 6-7
Density: 2.6-2.7 g/cm³
Colors: White Gray Pink Red
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal habit: Granular
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Common
Uses: Decorative, Construction, Architecture, Monumental
Host rock: Continental Crust
Typical price: $5-50 for slabs and hand specimens

Where rockhounds find granite

1 mapped spots

Classic worldwide localities

United States
Brazil
India
China
Norway

Field-hunting tip

Look in continental crust country — that is the host setting where granite typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, feldspar, mica in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a granular habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop. In the U.S., the densest reported localities are in Maine — start trip planning there.

Browse 1 U.S. spots for granite →

Common questions

How do you identify granite?+

Mohs hardness is 6-7. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include white, gray, pink, red.

Where is granite found?+

Notable localities include United States; Brazil; India; China; Norway.

Can I find granite in the United States?+

RockHoundR maps 1 granite rockhounding spots across 1 U.S. states — the top states are Maine.

How much is granite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $5-50 for slabs and hand specimens. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like granite?+

Granite is most often confused with Gneiss, Granodiorite, Syenite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with granite?+

Granite commonly co-occurs with Quartz, Feldspar, Mica, Amphibole. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does granite form in?+

Granite typically forms in continental crust. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is granite used for?+

Granite is used in decorative, construction, architecture, monumental.

Find granite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.