Definition
Nephelinite is a fine-grained or aphanitic igneous rock made up almost entirely of nepheline and clinopyroxene (variety augite).
Nephelinite is a fine-grained or aphanitic igneous rock made up almost entirely of nepheline and clinopyroxene (variety augite).
Discoverer
Unknown
Unknown
Etymology
from French néphéline, from Greek nephelē
from French néphéline, from Greek nephelē
Class
Igneous Rocks
Igneous Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Aphanitic
Aphanitic
Color
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, White
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, White
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Skeletal
Skeletal
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings, Paving Stone
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Not Yet Used
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
Creating Artwork, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
Types
Peralkaline Nephelinite
Peralkaline Nephelinite
Features
Host Rock for Lead
Host Rock for Lead
Archaeological Significance
Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
Pictographs
Not Used
Not Used
Petroglyphs
Not Used
Not Used
Formation
Nephelinite is a fine-grained, hard rock which is a type of metasomatite, essentially altered basalt. It forms with or without crystallization, either below the surface as intrusive rocks or on the surface as extrusive rocks.
Nephelinite is a fine-grained, hard rock which is a type of metasomatite, essentially altered basalt. It forms with or without crystallization, either below the surface as intrusive rocks or on the surface as extrusive rocks.
Mineral Content
Clinopyroxene, Nepheline, Plagioclase
Clinopyroxene, Nepheline, Plagioclase
Compound Content
Ca, CaO, Carbon, Cl, MgO
Ca, CaO, Carbon, Cl, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
Contact Metamorphism
Contact Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine Grained
Porosity
Less Porous
Less Porous
Luster
Vitreous to Metallic
Vitreous to Metallic
Cleavage
Imperfect
Imperfect
Specific Gravity
2.4-2.9
2.4-2.9
Transparency
Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.5-3 g/cm3
2.5-3 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Africa
Rwanda, Tanzania
Rwanda, Tanzania
Europe
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
Others
Hawaii Islands
Hawaii Islands
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Colombia
Colombia
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
All about Nephelinite and Nephelinite Properties
Know all about Nephelinite and Nephelinite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Nephelinite and Nephelinite belong to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Nephelinite is Aphanitic whereas that of Nephelinite is Aphanitic. Nephelinite appears Skeletal and Nephelinite appears Skeletal. The luster of Nephelinite and Nephelinite is vitreous to metallic. Nephelinite and Nephelinite are available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, white colors. The commercial uses of Nephelinite and Nephelinite are creating artwork, soil conditioner, source of magnesia (mgo).