Definition
Dolomite is a sedimentary rock containing more than 50 percent of the mineral dolomite by weight
  
Dolomite is a sedimentary rock containing more than 50 percent of the mineral dolomite by weight
  
History
  
  
Origin
Southern Alps, France
  
Southern Alps, France
  
Discoverer
Dolomieu
  
Dolomieu
  
Etymology
From French, from the name of Dolomieu (1750–1801), the French geologist who discovered the rock
  
From French, from the name of Dolomieu (1750–1801), the French geologist who discovered the rock
  
Class
Sedimentary Rocks
  
Sedimentary Rocks
  
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
  
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
  
Family
  
  
Group
Not Applicable
  
Not Applicable
  
Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
  
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
  
Texture
Earthy
  
Earthy
  
Color
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink, White
  
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Pink, White
  
Maintenance
Less
  
Less
  
Durability
Durable
  
Durable
  
Water Resistant
No
  
No
  
Scratch Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Stain Resistant
No
  
No
  
Wind Resistant
No
  
No
  
Acid Resistant
No
  
No
  
Appearance
Glassy or Pearly
  
Glassy or Pearly
  
Architecture
  
  
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
  
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
  
Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
  
Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
  
Other Architectural Uses
Not Yet Used
  
Not Yet Used
  
Industry
  
  
Construction Industry
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, Production of Glass and Ceramics, Serves as an Oil and Gas Reservoir rock
  
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, Production of Glass and Ceramics, Serves as an Oil and Gas Reservoir rock
  
Medical Industry
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
  
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
  
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
  
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
  
Other Uses
  
  
Commercial Uses
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, As a Feed Additive for Livestock, Gemstone, Metallurgical Flux, Production of Lime, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
  
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, As a Feed Additive for Livestock, Gemstone, Metallurgical Flux, Production of Lime, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
  
Types
Boninite and Jasperoid
  
Boninite and Jasperoid
  
Features
Host Rock for Lead, Traps for subsurface fluids like Oil and Natural Gas., Zinc and Copper Deposits
  
Host Rock for Lead, Traps for subsurface fluids like Oil and Natural Gas., Zinc and Copper Deposits
  
Archaeological Significance
  
  
Monuments
Used
  
Used
  
Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
  
Data Not Available
  
Sculpture
Used
  
Used
  
Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
  
Data Not Available
  
Pictographs
Used
  
Used
  
Petroglyphs
Used
  
Used
  
Figurines
Used
  
Used
  
Fossils
Present
  
Present
  
Formation
Dolomite rocks are originally deposited as calcite or aragonite rich limestone, but during diagenesis process, the calcite or aragonite is transformed into dolomite.
  
Dolomite rocks are originally deposited as calcite or aragonite rich limestone, but during diagenesis process, the calcite or aragonite is transformed into dolomite.
  
Composition
  
  
Mineral Content
Clay Minerals, Pyrite, Quartz, Sulfides
  
Clay Minerals, Pyrite, Quartz, Sulfides
  
Compound Content
NaCl, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Magnesium Carbonate, MgO
  
NaCl, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Magnesium Carbonate, MgO
  
Transformation
  
  
Metamorphism
Yes
  
Yes
  
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
  
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
  
Weathering
No
  
No
  
Types of Weathering
Not Applicable
  
Not Applicable
  
Erosion
No
  
No
  
Types of Erosion
Not Applicable
  
Not Applicable
  
Physical Properties
  
  
Hardness
3.5-4
  
3.5-4
  
Grain Size
Medium to Fine Coarse Grained
  
Medium to Fine Coarse Grained
  
Fracture
Conchoidal
  
Conchoidal
  
Streak
White
  
White
  
Porosity
Less Porous
  
Less Porous
  
Luster
Vitreous and Pearly
  
Vitreous and Pearly
  
Compressive Strength
140.00 N/mm
2
  
15
140.00 N/mm
2
  
15
Cleavage
Perfect
  
Perfect
  
Toughness
1
  
1
  
Specific Gravity
2.8-3
  
2.8-3
  
Transparency
Transparent to Translucent
  
Transparent to Translucent
  
Density
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
  
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
  
Thermal Properties
  
  
Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K
  
10
0.92 kJ/Kg K
  
10
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
  
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
  
Deposits in Eastern Continents
  
  
Asia
China, India
  
China, India
  
Africa
Morocco, Namibia
  
Morocco, Namibia
  
Europe
Austria, Italy, Romania, Spain, Switzerland
  
Austria, Italy, Romania, Spain, Switzerland
  
Others
Not Yet Found
  
Not Yet Found
  
Deposits in Western Continents
  
  
North America
Mexico, USA
  
Mexico, USA
  
South America
Brazil, Colombia
  
Brazil, Colombia
  
Deposits in Oceania Continent
  
  
Australia
New South Wales, Queensland, Yorke Peninsula
  
New South Wales, Queensland, Yorke Peninsula
  
Dolomite vs Dolomite 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. Dolomite vs Dolomite characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Dolomite and Properties of Dolomite. Learn more about Dolomite vs Dolomite in the next section. The interior uses of Dolomite include Decorative aggregates, Homes and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Dolomite include Decorative aggregates, Homes and Interior decoration. Due to some exceptional properties of Dolomite and Dolomite, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Dolomite in construction industry 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, Production of glass and ceramics, Serves as an oil and gas reservoir rock and that of Dolomite 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, Production of glass and ceramics, Serves as an oil and gas reservoir rock.
More about Dolomite and Dolomite
Here you can know more about Dolomite and Dolomite. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Dolomite and Dolomite consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Dolomite includes Clay Minerals, Pyrite, Quartz, Sulfides and mineral content of Dolomite includes Clay Minerals, Pyrite, Quartz, Sulfides. You can also check out the list of all Sedimentary Rocks. When we have to compare Dolomite vs Dolomite, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Dolomite is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, pink, white colors whereas, Dolomite is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, pink, white colors. Appearance of Dolomite is Glassy or Pearly and that of Dolomite is Glassy or Pearly. Properties of rock is another aspect for Dolomite vs Dolomite. Hardness of Dolomite and Dolomite is 3.5-4. The types of Dolomite are Boninite and Jasperoid whereas types of Dolomite are Boninite and Jasperoid. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Dolomite and Dolomite is white. The specific heat capacity of Dolomite is 0.92 kJ/Kg K and that of Dolomite is 0.92 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Dolomite is heat resistant, pressure resistant, wear resistant whereas Dolomite is heat resistant, pressure resistant, wear resistant.