Definition
Claystone is a fine-grained, dark gray to pink sedimentary rock which mainly consists of compacted and hardened clay
  
It is a metamorphic magnesium rich rock because it is composed of the mineral talc
  
History
  
  
Origin
Unknown
  
USA
  
Discoverer
Unknown
  
Unknown
  
Etymology
From English clay and stone as the rock contains more amount of clay
  
From 17th century, because of its greasy feel and use like a soap
  
Class
Sedimentary Rocks
  
Metamorphic Rocks
  
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
  
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
  
Family
  
  
Group
Not Applicable
  
Not Applicable
  
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
  
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
  
Texture
Clastic
  
Polished
  
Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Grey, Orange, Red, White, Yellow
  
Black, Black to Grey, Green, Grey
  
Maintenance
More
  
Less
  
Durability
Durable
  
Durable
  
Water Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Scratch Resistant
Yes
  
No
  
Stain Resistant
No
  
No
  
Wind Resistant
No
  
No
  
Acid Resistant
No
  
No
  
Appearance
Rough and Dull
  
Dull, Banded and Foilated
  
Architecture
  
  
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Floor Tiles, Homes, Interior Decoration
  
Bathrooms, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
  
Exterior Uses
As Facing Stone, Roof Tiles
  
As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
  
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
  
Curbing
  
Industry
  
  
Construction Industry
As a Sintering Agent in Steel Industry to process Iron Ore, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Raw material for the manufacture of mortar
  
Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
  
Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
  
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
  
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Sculpture, Small Figurines
  
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture
  
Other Uses
  
  
Commercial Uses
Pottery
  
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Manufacture of Soap, Solvents, Dyes, Plastics and Fibres, Production of Lime, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
  
Types
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Features
Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns, Smooth to touch, Very fine grained rock
  
Host Rock for Lead
  
Archaeological Significance
  
  
Monuments
Not Yet Used
  
Used
  
Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
  
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Stonehenge in English county of Wiltshire
  
Sculpture
Used
  
Used
  
Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
  
Data Not Available
  
Pictographs
Used
  
Used
  
Petroglyphs
Used
  
Used
  
Figurines
Used
  
Used
  
Fossils
Present
  
Absent
  
Formation
Claystone is generally quite soft, but can be hard and brittle. It forms due to weathering of mudstone.
  
Soapstone is a talc-schist, which is a type of metamorphic rock and it is largely composed of the mineral talc and is thus rich inmagnesium.
  
Composition
  
  
Mineral Content
Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Quartz
  
Albite, Apatite, Biotite, Calcite, Carbonate, Clay Minerals, Hornblende, Ilmenite, Micas, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz
  
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, Ca, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide
  
CaO, Mg, MgO
  
Transformation
  
  
Metamorphism
No
  
Yes
  
Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable
  
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
  
Weathering
Yes
  
No
  
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
  
Not Applicable
  
Erosion
Yes
  
No
  
Types of Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion
  
Not Applicable
  
Physical Properties
  
  
Hardness
3.5-4
  
1
  
Grain Size
Fine Grained
  
Fine Grained
  
Fracture
Not Available
  
Conchoidal
  
Streak
White
  
Black
  
Porosity
Very Less Porous
  
Less Porous
  
Luster
Dull
  
Greasy
  
Compressive Strength
Not Available
  
225.00 N/mm
2
  
7
Cleavage
Perfect
  
Perfect
  
Toughness
2.6
  
1
  
Specific Gravity
0
  
2.86
  
Transparency
Opaque
  
Opaque
  
Density
2-2.9 g/cm3
  
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
  
Thermal Properties
  
  
Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K
  
10
0.88 kJ/Kg K
  
13
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
  
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant
  
Deposits in Eastern Continents
  
  
Asia
Bangladesh, China, India, Russia
  
China, India, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand
  
Africa
Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
  
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Western Africa
  
Europe
Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
  
Austria, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
  
Others
Not Yet Found
  
Not Yet Found
  
Deposits in Western Continents
  
  
North America
Canada, Panama, USA
  
Canada, USA
  
South America
Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
  
Colombia
  
Deposits in Oceania Continent
  
  
Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia
  
Central Australia, New Zealand, Queensland