Granite Pegmatite

Part of Hall of Planet Earth.

Granite Pegmatite AMNH/R.Mickens

This granite pegmatite illustrates the growth of extremely large crystals from a magma. It is composed of large feldspar (white) and biotite mica (silver-black) crystals in a groundmass of small crystals of quartz (gray), microcline, and albite (both white).

Provided by the Feldspar Corporations, Spruce Pine, North Carolina