Definition
Diatomite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock which is formed from consolidated diatomaceous earth
Jaspillite is an iron rich chemically formed rock which is common in banded iron formation rocks
Origin
Germany
Western Australia, Minnesota
Discoverer
Unknown
Unknown
Etymology
From diatom + -ite1
From Jaspilite (Mineral), a compact siliceous rock which resembles jasper
Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Clastic or Non-Clastic
Banded, Trellis
Color
Grey, White, Yellow
Red, Reddish Brown
Durability
Non-Durable
Durable
Appearance
Soft
Banded and Glassy
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Source of calcium
As a Flux in the Production of Steel and Pig Iron, As a Sintering Agent in Steel Industry to process Iron Ore, As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments
Commercial Uses
Alumina Refineries, Animal feed filler, As a Feed Additive for Livestock, Creating Artwork, Drawing on blackboards, Fire resistant, Gymnasts, athletes and mountain climbers use for grip, In aquifers, Soil Conditioner, To ignite fire, Used as a filter medium, Used as an insecticide, Whiting material in toothpaste, paint and paper
Creating Artwork, Jewelry
Types
Diatomite
Algoma-type , Lake Superior-type and Superior-type
Features
Clasts are smooth to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Smooth to touch, Very fine grained rock
Is one of the oldest rock
Archaeological Significance
Formation
Diatomite rock formed from the skeletal remains of single celled plants called diatoms. When diatoms die, their skeletal remains sink to the bottom of lakes and oceans etc. hence forming diatomite deposit.
Jaspillite is a type of sedimentary rock which is formed by the compaction and sedimentation of pieces of broken or weathered rocks and minerals.
Mineral Content
Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand
Coesite, Quartz, Sand
Compound Content
Ca, NaCl, CaO
Fe, Iron(III) Oxide, Silicon Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
-
-
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
Large and Coarse Grained
Porosity
Highly Porous
Very Less Porous
Specific Gravity
2.3-2.4
5.0-5.3
Transparency
Opaque
Translucent to Opaque
Density
2.49-2.51 g/cm3
0-5.7 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Wear Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Brunei, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam
Russia
Africa
Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe
-
Europe
England, France, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom
Ukraine
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Colombia
Brazil
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Adelaide, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Yorke Peninsula
Western Australia
Diatomite vs Jaspillite 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. Diatomite vs Jaspillite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Diatomite and Properties of Jaspillite. Learn more about Diatomite vs Jaspillite in the next section. The interior uses of Diatomite include Decorative aggregates, Homes and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Jaspillite include Decorative aggregates and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Diatomite and Jaspillite, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Diatomite in construction industry include As dimension stone, Cement manufacture, Construction aggregate, For road aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Source of calcium and that of Jaspillite include As a flux in the production of steel and pig iron, As a sintering agent in steel industry to process iron ore, As dimension stone, Cement manufacture, For road aggregate, Making natural cement, Manufacture of magnesium and dolomite refractories.
More about Diatomite and Jaspillite
Here you can know more about Diatomite and Jaspillite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Diatomite and Jaspillite consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Diatomite includes Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Quartz, Sand and mineral content of Jaspillite includes Coesite, Quartz, Sand. You can also check out the list of all Sedimentary Rocks. When we have to compare Diatomite vs Jaspillite, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Diatomite is available in grey, white, yellow colors whereas, Jaspillite is available in red, reddish brown colors. Appearance of Diatomite is Soft and that of Jaspillite is Banded and Glassy. Properties of rock is another aspect for Diatomite vs Jaspillite. The hardness of Diatomite is 1 and that of Jaspillite is 3. The types of Diatomite are Diatomite whereas types of Jaspillite are Algoma-type , Lake Superior-type and Superior-type. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Diatomite and Jaspillite is white. The specific heat capacity of Diatomite is 0.90 kJ/Kg K and that of Jaspillite is 3.20 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Diatomite is heat resistant whereas Jaspillite is heat resistant, impact resistant, wear resistant.