Definition
Chert is a hard, dark, opaque sedimentary rock which is composed of silica with an amorphous fine-grained texture
Adamellite is a coarse-grained porphyritic igneous rock, a variety of Monzogranite and dominated by phenocrysts of orthoclase in a granular groundmass of perthite, plagioclase and quartz
Discoverer
Unknown
Unknown
Etymology
From flint-like quartz, 1670s, of unknown origin- a local term, which has been taken into geological use
From German adamellit and from Monte Adamello, a mountain in Italy, its locality
Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Banded, Rough
Porphyritic
Color
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, White
Black, Grey, Orange, Pink, White
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Glassy or Pearly
Veined or Pebbled
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
Bathrooms, Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Floor Tiles, Homes, Hotels, Kitchens, Stair Treads
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Bridges, Paving Stone, Near Swimming Pools, Office Buildings, Resorts
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
Arrowheads, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, Spear Points
As Dimension Stone
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, In fire-starting tools, Jewelry, To ignite fire, Used in flintlock firearms
Curling, Gemstone, Laboratory bench tops, Tombstones
Types
Flint, Jasper, Radiolarite, Common Chert, Chalcedony, Agate, Onyx, Opal, Magadi-type Chert, Porcelanite, Siliceous Sinter
Granite
Features
Clasts are smooth to touch, Easily splits into thin plates, Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate
Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns, It is One of the Oldest, Strongest and Hardest 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.
Adamellite is a type of Igneous rock which is formed through the cooling and solidification of lava or magma and is a variety of Monzogranite.
Mineral Content
Quartz, Silicon
Apatite, Biotite, Chlorite, Orthoclase, Perthite, Plagioclase, Quartz, Titanite, Zircon
Compound Content
Silicon Dioxide
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
-
Burial Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
-
Biological Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Coarse Grained
Fracture
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal
-
Porosity
Highly Porous
Less Porous
Luster
Waxy and Dull
Dull to Grainy with Sporadic parts Pearly and Vitreous
Specific Gravity
2.5-2.8
2.6-2.7
Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.7 g/cm3
2.6-2.8 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant, Wear Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
China, India, Iran, Japan, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
China, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam
Africa
Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
Angola, Egypt, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa
Europe
Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sardinia, Spain, Switzerland, The Czech Republic
Others
Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge
-
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Bolivia, Brazil
-
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia
-
Chert vs Adamellite Characteristics
Though some rocks look identical, they have certain characteristics which distinguish them from others. Characteristics of rocks include texture, appearance, color, fracture, streak, hardness etc. Chert vs Adamellite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Chert and Properties of Adamellite. Learn more about Chert vs Adamellite in the next section. The interior uses of Chert include Decorative aggregates and Homes whereas the interior uses of Adamellite include Bathrooms, Countertops, Decorative aggregates, Entryways, Floor tiles, Homes, Hotels, Kitchens and Stair treads. Due to some exceptional properties of Chert and Adamellite, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Chert in construction industry include Arrowheads, Construction aggregate, Cutting tool, Spear points and that of Adamellite include As dimension stone.
More about Chert and Adamellite
Here you can know more about Chert and Adamellite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Chert and Adamellite consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Chert includes Quartz, Silicon and mineral content of Adamellite includes Apatite, Biotite, Chlorite, Orthoclase, Perthite, Plagioclase, Quartz, Titanite, Zircon. You can also check out the list of all Sedimentary Rocks. When we have to compare Chert vs Adamellite, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Chert is available in black, brown, green, grey, red, white colors whereas, Adamellite is available in black, grey, orange, pink, white colors. Appearance of Chert is Glassy or Pearly and that of Adamellite is Veined or Pebbled. Properties of rock is another aspect for Chert vs Adamellite. The hardness of Chert is 6.5-7 and that of Adamellite is 6-7. The types of Chert are Flint, Jasper, Radiolarite, Common Chert, Chalcedony, Agate, Onyx, Opal, Magadi-type Chert, Porcelanite, Siliceous Sinter whereas types of Adamellite are Granite. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Chert and Adamellite is white. The specific heat capacity of Chert is 0.74 kJ/Kg K and that of Adamellite is 0.79 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Chert is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant, wear resistant whereas Adamellite is heat resistant, wear resistant.