1 Definition
1.1 Definition
A yellow sandstone which is flexible when cut into thin strips
It is a metamorphic magnesium rich rock because it is composed of the mineral talc
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From the name of a mountain range where it was found; Itacolumi mountain in Brazil
From 17th century, because of its greasy feel and use like a soap
1.4 Class
Sedimentary Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1.6 Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Clastic, Granular, Rough
Polished
2.2 Color
Beige, Black, Brown, Colourless, Cream, Dark Brown, Green, Grey, Light Green, Light to Dark Grey, Pink, Red, White, Yellow
Black, Black to Grey, Green, Grey
2.3 Maintenance
2.4 Durability
2.4.1 Water Resistant
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
2.5 Appearance
Rough
Dull, Banded and Foilated
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Floor Tiles, Homes, Interior Decoration, Kitchens
Bathrooms, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Production of Glass and Ceramics, Raw material for the manufacture of mortar
Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, In aquifers, Petroleum reservoirs, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO), Tombstones
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Manufacture of Soap, Solvents, Dyes, Plastics and Fibres, Production of Lime, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
4 Types
4.1 Types
Not Available
Not Available
4.2 Features
Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns, Generally rough to touch, Very fine grained rock
Host Rock for Lead
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Stonehenge in English county of Wiltshire
4.3.3 Sculpture
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
4.3.5 Pictographs
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
4.3.7 Figurines
4.4 Fossils
5 Formation
5.1 Formation
Itacolumite is a sedimentary rock which forms from cemented sand-sized clasts and is a type of sandstone.
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.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Feldspar, Micas, Quartz
Albite, Apatite, Biotite, Calcite, Carbonate, Clay Minerals, Hornblende, Ilmenite, Micas, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz
5.2.2 Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide
CaO, Mg, MgO
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering
Not Applicable
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
Not Applicable
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Coarse or Fine
Fine Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
6.1.4 Streak
6.1.5 Porosity
Highly Porous
Less Porous
6.1.6 Luster
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
95.00 N/mm2225.00 N/mm2
0.15
450
6.1.8 Cleavage
6.1.9 Toughness
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
6.1.12 Density
2.2-2.8 g/cm32.8-2.9 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K0.88 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
China, India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Uzbekistan
China, India, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand
7.1.2 Africa
Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Western Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Austria, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Austria, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
7.1.4 Others
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
7.2.2 South America
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand
Central Australia, New Zealand, Queensland