Definition
Chert is a hard, dark, opaque sedimentary rock which is composed of silica with an amorphous fine-grained texture
Diamictite is a sedimentary rock that consists of non-sorted to poorly sorted terrigenous sediment containing particles that range in size from clay to boulders, suspended in a matrix of mudstone or sandstone
Origin
-
Southern Mongolia
Discoverer
Unknown
Unknown
Etymology
From flint-like quartz, 1670s, of unknown origin- a local term, which has been taken into geological use
From Greek dia through and meiktós or mixed
Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Banded, Rough
Clastic
Color
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, White
Brown, Buff
Durability
Durable
Durable
Appearance
Glassy or Pearly
Banded
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
As Building Stone, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
Arrowheads, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, Spear Points
As Dimension Stone, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Roadstone
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments
Artifacts
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, In fire-starting tools, Jewelry, To ignite fire, Used in flintlock firearms
Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork, Production of Lime
Types
Flint, Jasper, Radiolarite, Common Chert, Chalcedony, Agate, Onyx, Opal, Magadi-type Chert, Porcelanite, Siliceous Sinter
Bedded Diamictite and Laminated Diamictite
Features
Clasts are smooth to touch, Easily splits into thin plates, Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate
Host Rock for Lead, Is one of the oldest rock
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Chert forms when microcrystals of silicon dioxide grow within soft sediments that become limestone or chalk. The chert formation can be either of chemical or biological origin.
Diamictite is unevenly sorted terrigenous, non-calcareous sedimentary rock which forms due to weathering of mudstone and sandstone.
Mineral Content
Quartz, Silicon
Calcite, Clay, Feldspar, Micas, Quartz
Compound Content
Silicon Dioxide
-
Types of Metamorphism
-
-
Types of Weathering
-
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Coarse Grained
Fracture
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal
Conchoidal to Uneven
Streak
White
Light to dark brown
Porosity
Highly Porous
Highly Porous
Luster
Waxy and Dull
Grainy, Pearly and Vitreous
Specific Gravity
2.5-2.8
4.3-5.0
Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.7 g/cm3
2.2-2.35 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
China, India, Iran, Japan, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
China, India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia
Africa
Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa
Europe
Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
Austria, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Others
Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge
-
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Bolivia, Brazil
Brazil, Venezuela
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand
All about Chert and Diamictite Properties
Know all about Chert and Diamictite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Chert and Diamictite belong to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Chert is Banded, Rough whereas that of Diamictite is Clastic. Chert appears Glassy or Pearly and Diamictite appears Banded. The luster of Chert is waxy and dull while that of Diamictite is grainy, pearly and vitreous. Chert is available in black, brown, green, grey, red, white colors whereas Diamictite is available in brown, buff colors. The commercial uses of Chert are creating artwork, gemstone, in fire-starting tools, jewelry, to ignite fire, used in flintlock firearms and that of Diamictite are commemorative tablets, creating artwork, production of lime.