Comparison · Igneous Rocks
Granite vs Syenite
Granite and Syenite are easy to confuse because both are igneous rocks. Both sit near Mohs 6.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Granite and Syenite
- Both sit near Mohs 6.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Granite is opaque, Syenite is Opaque.
- They overlap in pink, gray, and white, but Granite also comes in black and Syenite also comes in green.
Granite vs Syenite properties
| Property | Granite | Syenite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Igneous Rocks | Igneous Rocks |
| Mohs hardness | 6.5 | 5.5–6.5 |
| Luster | vitreous | Vitreous (feldspar crystals) |
| Streak | Variable; test individual minerals | — |
| Transparency | opaque | Opaque |
| Specific gravity | 2.7 | 2.6–2.8 |
| Crystal system | varies | — |
| Common colors | Pink, Gray, White, Black | Gray, Pink, White, Light green |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $1–$50+ | $1–$75+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Granite and Syenite trade in a similar range, around $10.
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 Syenite
Syenite is a coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock composed mainly of alkali feldspar with minor amounts of dark minerals like hornblende or biotite, and it is distinguished from granite chiefly by containing little to no quartz. It forms from the slow cooling of silica-undersaturated to silica-saturated magmas at depth, allowing large, visible crystals to develop. Syenite's name derives from Syene, the ancient name for Aswan, Egypt, though the rock originally described there under that name is now known to actually be granite.
Granite vs Syenite FAQ
Is Granite the same as Syenite?
No. Both are igneous rocks, but they are distinct rock types with different hardness, streak or luster. Both sit near Mohs 6.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Granite from Syenite?
Both sit near Mohs 6.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Hold a thin edge to the light: Granite is opaque, Syenite is Opaque. They overlap in pink, gray, and white, but Granite also comes in black and Syenite also comes in green.
Which is harder, Granite or Syenite?
Granite is harder: Mohs 6.5 against Mohs 5.5–6.5 for Syenite.
Which is more valuable, Granite or Syenite?
Typical specimens of Granite and Syenite trade in a similar range, around $10.
