Granite is an igneous rock of visible crystalline formation and texture. It is composed of feldspar (usually potash feldspar and oligoclase) and quartz, with a small amount of mica (biotite or muscovite) and minor accessory minerals, such as zircon, apatite, magnetite, ilmenite, and sphene.

Granite is usually whitish or grey with a speckled appearance caused by the darker crystals. However potash feldspar imparts a red or flesh colour to the rock. In more recent years, more colourful and vivid varieties of granite have been discovered which have increased the choices available to architects. Granite crystallizes from magma that cools slowly, deep below the Earth's surface. Exceptionally slow rates of cooling give rise to a very coarse-grained variety called pegmatite. Granite, along with other crystalline rocks, constitutes the foundation of the continental masses, and it is the most common intrusive rock exposed at the Earth's surface.

The relative density of granite ranges from 2.63 to 2.75. Its crushing strength is from 1,050 to 14,000 kg per sq cm (15,000 to 20,000 lb per sq in). Granite has greater strength than sandstone, limestone, and marble and is correspondingly more difficult to quarry. It is an important building stone, the best grades being extremely resistant to weathering.

Granite is particularly widespread in the ancient Precambrian shields, formed more than 4,000 million years ago, of Scandinavia, India, Russia, Africa, Canada, North and South America, and parts of Britain, particularly Scotland and Cornwall.

We include below a palette of some of our most popular materials. This display is not extensive as there are many others to choose from that are available to us from worldwide resources.