Comparison · Igneous Rocks
Granite vs Snowflake Obsidian
Granite and Snowflake Obsidian are easy to confuse because both are igneous rocks. Granite is harder (Mohs 6.5) than Snowflake Obsidian (Mohs 5.5), so Granite will scratch Snowflake Obsidian and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Granite and Snowflake Obsidian
- Granite is harder (Mohs 6.5) than Snowflake Obsidian (Mohs 5.5), so Granite will scratch Snowflake Obsidian and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
- Streak color differs: Granite leaves a variable; test individual minerals streak on unglazed porcelain, Snowflake Obsidian leaves white.
- They overlap in white and black, but Granite also comes in pink and gray.
Granite vs Snowflake Obsidian properties
| Property | Granite | Snowflake Obsidian |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Igneous Rocks | Igneous Rocks |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5 | 5.5 |
| Luster | vitreous | vitreous |
| Streak | Variable; test individual minerals | White |
| Transparency | opaque | opaque |
| Specific gravity | 2.7 | 2.4 |
| Crystal system | varies | — |
| Common colors | Pink, Gray, White, Black | Black, Black and white |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $1–$50+ | $3–$120+ |
Which is more valuable?
Snowflake Obsidian is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $25 against $10 for Granite, and premium Snowflake Obsidian can reach $120 or more.
About Granite
Granite is a coarse-grained igneous rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar, and mica. It's one of the most common rocks in Earth's continental crust.
About Snowflake Obsidian
Snowflake obsidian is a black volcanic glass marked by gray-white spherulitic patches that resemble snowflakes. The pale clusters are crystals of cristobalite that grew as the originally glassy rock slowly began to crystallize.
Granite vs Snowflake Obsidian FAQ
Is Granite the same as Snowflake Obsidian?
No. Both are igneous rocks, but they are distinct rock types with different hardness, streak or luster. Granite is harder (Mohs 6.5) than Snowflake Obsidian (Mohs 5.5), so Granite will scratch Snowflake Obsidian and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
How can you tell Granite from Snowflake Obsidian?
Granite is harder (Mohs 6.5) than Snowflake Obsidian (Mohs 5.5), so Granite will scratch Snowflake Obsidian and not the other way round. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will. Streak color differs: Granite leaves a variable; test individual minerals streak on unglazed porcelain, Snowflake Obsidian leaves white. They overlap in white and black, but Granite also comes in pink and gray.
Which is harder, Granite or Snowflake Obsidian?
Granite is harder: Mohs 6.5 against Mohs 5.5 for Snowflake Obsidian.
Which is more valuable, Granite or Snowflake Obsidian?
Snowflake Obsidian is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $25 against $10 for Granite, and premium Snowflake Obsidian can reach $120 or more.
