How do I identify Granulite?

Granulite can be identified by its hardness of 6 - 7 on the Mohs scale, Brown color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Granulite?

Granulite typically appears in Brown, green, gray, red, black, etc.. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Granulite?

Granulite has a hardness of 6 - 7 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.

Granulite

A variety of Metamorphic

Rare

Granulite specimen - rock identification

What is Granulite?

Granulite is a common metamorphic rock, formed at very high temperatures, that is primarily composed of quartz and feldspar and often contains many tiny (non-gem-quality) garnets. Variable in color and pattern, often displaying some banding, and taking a polish well, granulite is used decoratively for countertops or flooring.

Uses & Applications

Granulite is a popular choice for construction materials, as well as statues, monuments, and other artifacts. However, it may also been seen in work surfaces, such as laboratory bench tops due to its durable and chemically resistant nature. When ground, granulite is also used as an addition to soil to promote plant growth.

Granulite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Granulite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Granulite Localities Map

See where Granulite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview

North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Formation of Granulite

Granulite form at crustal depths, typically during regional metamorphism at high thermal gradients of greater than 30 ℃/km. In continental crustal rocks, biotite may break down at high temperatures to form orthopyroxene + potassium feldspar + water, producing a granulite. Other possible minerals formed at dehydration melting conditions include sapphirine, spinel, sillimanite, and osumilite. Some assemblages such as sapphirine + quartz indicate very high temperatures of greater than 900 ℃.

Composition of Granulite

They are medium to coarse–grained and mainly composed of feldspars sometimes associated with quartz and anhydrous ferromagnesian minerals, with granoblastic texture and gneissose to massive structure.