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Granite, from igneous rock, is a very hard, crystalline, and primarily composed of feldspar, quartz accompanied by one or more dark minerals. It is visibly homogeneous in texture.

The term "Granite" means "grain" in Latin word "Granum" because of its granular nature.

Granite is the hardest building stone, and granite slabs and granite tiles occupy a prominent place among dimensional stones. Due to its hardness, resistance to weathering, capability to take mirror polish, fascinating colors and textural patterns, granite slabs and granite tiles are extremely popular.

The principal characteristics of granite also include high load bearing capacity, crushing strength, abrasive strength, amenability to cutting and shaping without secondary flaws, ability to yield thin and large slabs and - above all - durability.

Due to highly dense grain, it is impervious to stain. Polished granite slabs and granite tiles have achieved a special status as building stones globally. Granite is also used for wall cladding, roofing, flooring, and a variety of other interior and exterior applications.

India is one of the largest producers of granites blocks and processed granite slabs and granite tiles. Granites from leading Indian exporters are listed here.

Physical Properties of Granite
In terms of its physical properties granite is a unique material. These properties lending uniqueness to granite are:

Porosity/permeability
Granite has almost negligible porosity ranging between 0.2 to 4%.

Thermal Stability
Granite is thermally highly stable, so it shows no changes with the changing temperature. Granite is impervious to weathering from temperature and even from the air borne chemicals. It is the highly resistance to chemical erosion which makes granite useful for making tanks to store highly caustic material.

Co-efficient of expansion
The co-efficient of expansion for granite varies from 4.7x10-6 - 9.0x10-6(inch x inch).

Variegation
Granite shows consistency in color and texture.

Hardness
It is the hardest building stone and hardness of granite that lends it excellent wear.

Granite Composition
Granite is formed of quartz and orthoclase or microcline. The principal constituents of granite are :

• Feldspar
• Quartz
• Biotite

The percentage composition of each varies and accordingly impart different color and texture to the final product. The percentage composition of feldspar varies between 65-90%, of quartz can extend from 10 to 60% and that of biotite lies between 10 to 15%.

Chemical Properties of Granite
Granite is primarily composed of feldspar, quartz along with various other minerals in varying percentage, which are stated as follows:
Nominal chemical composition of various oxides

Uses of Granite

• Roadstone, building blocks, but has poor resistance to fire as it crumbles when exposed to intense heat.
• Traditionally the main use of black granite is in tombstones and other monumental items, and to a lesser extent for various types of counters, especially in the financial world, decorative applications, elegant trimmings and luxury floorings.
• Stones on bolo cord slides and pendants, paperweights, bookends, lazy susan turntables, etc.

Ocurrances of Granite