Multiple Definitions of Granite: Granite Classification

 

The word granite is used in a variety of ways by different people. A simple definition is used in introductory geology or earth science courses. A more precise definition is used by petrologists. Petrologists is someone who specialize in the study of rocks. And, the definition of granite expands wildly when used in the crushed stone and dimension stone industries. These multiple definitions of granite can lead to communication problems. However, if you know who is using the word and who they are communicating with, you can interpret the word in its proper context.

Granite Igneous Rock

The name granite is a name used for igneous rocks that are composed of orthoclase feldspar, quartz, plagioclase feldspar, micas and amphiboles and have crystals that are large enough to be seen with the unaided eye. That name isn’t specific enough for some purposes and for some people.

Pegmatite/ Aplite

Special names are used for granitic rocks based upon their grain or crystal size. If a granitic rock has especially large grains over one centimeter across it is often called pegmatite. If it is an especially fine-grained rock from crystallizing at a shallow depth it might be called aplite.

Granodiorite/ Monzodiorites

Granitic rocks that have a mineral composition that borders upon diorite might be called granodiorite. Those especially rich in plagioclase feldspars, at the expense of alkali feldspars might be called monzodiorites.

Granite Features

Granite is the rock most often quarried as a dimension stone. Dimension stone is a natural rock material that has been cut into blocks or slabs of specific length, width, and thickness. Granite is hard enough to resist abrasion, strong enough to bear significant weight, inert enough to resist weathering, and it accepts a brilliant polish. These characteristics make it a very desirable and useful dimension stone.

 

Granite in Interior and Exterior Design

Granite has been used for thousands of years in both interior and exterior applications. Rough-cut and polished granite is used in buildings, bridges, paving, monuments, and many other exterior projects. Indoors, polished granite slabs and tiles are used in countertops, tile floors, stair treads, and many other practical and decorative features.

High price often reduces the popularity of a construction material, and granite often costs significantly more than man-made materials in most projects. However, granite is frequently selected because it is a prestige material, used in projects to produce impressions of elegance, durability, and lasting quality.

Granite is also used as a crushed stone or aggregate. In this form it is used as a base material at construction sites, as an aggregate in road construction, railroad ballast, foundations, and anywhere that a crushed stone is useful as fill.

Intrusive Rock

Granite is the most widespread of igneous rocks, underlying much of the continental crust. Granite is an intrusive igneous rock. Intrusive rocks form from molten material called magma that flows and solidifies underground, where magma cools slowly. Eventually, the overlying rocks are removed, exposing the granite. Granites usually have a coarse texture. Individual minerals are visible without magnification, because the magma cools slowly underground, allowing larger crystal growth.

Granite Color Variation

Granites are most easily characterized as light colored and coarse grained as a result of cooling slowly below the surface. Color variation is a huge.  The crystals in granite provide a variety of mixed colors including feldspar (pink or red), mica (dark brown or black), quartz (clear pink, white, or black) and amphibole (black).

Final Statement

Generally speaking, granite is high in quartz about 25%, feldspar, and mica. It is widely used for architectural facades, construction materials, ornamental stone and monuments. Over 40% of dimension stone quarried is granite. Crushed granite is used as a durable construction material in asphalt and concrete used in highway and infrastructure projects.

 

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Sources

geology.com/rocks/granite.shtml

mineralseducationcoalition.org/minerals-database/granite