伟晶岩因为其经常含有大粒晶体而得名，具有粗粒或巨粒结构，粒径通常超过50毫米，晶体最大可以达到数米甚至十米以上长，一般颜色较浅，是一种浅成岩，但常产于深成岩的体内或周围，其包含的晶体经常是有价值的矿物，对于其产生的原因，有多种解释，有的理论认为是由于火山残余的溶浆缓慢结晶而成，也有认为是由于高压造成的强烈扩散条件影响，目前尚没有一致公认的理论。

根据其成分不同，伟晶岩可以分为：

A pegmatite is a holocrystalline, intrusive igneous rock composed of interlocking phaneritic crystals usually larger than 2.5 cm in size (1 inch); such rocks are referred to as pegmatitic.

Most pegmatites are composed of quartz, feldspar and mica, having a similar basic composition as granite. Rarer intermediate composition and mafic pegmatites containing amphibole, Ca-plagioclase feldspar, pyroxene, feldspathoids and other unusual minerals are known, found in recrystallised zones and apophyses associated with large layered intrusions.