Definition
Norite is a mafic intrusive igneous rock composed largely of the calcium-rich plagioclase labradorite, orthopyroxene, and olivine
  
Gabbro is an intrusive igneous rock which is chemically equivalent to plutonic Basalt
  
History
  
  
Origin
Norway
  
Germany
  
Discoverer
Unknown
  
Christian Leopold von Buch
  
Etymology
From the Norwegian name for Norway, Norge
  
From Latin glaber bare, smooth, bald
  
Class
Igneous Rocks
  
Igneous Rocks
  
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
  
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
  
Family
  
  
Group
Plutonic
  
Plutonic
  
Other Categories
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
  
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
  
Texture
Phaneritic
  
Phaneritic
  
Color
Dark Grey to Black
  
Dark Grey to Black
  
Maintenance
Less
  
Less
  
Durability
Durable
  
Durable
  
Water Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Scratch Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Stain Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Wind Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Acid Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Appearance
Veined and Shiny
  
Veined and Shiny
  
Architecture
  
  
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
  
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
  
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration
  
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings, Paving Stone
  
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
  
Curbing
  
Industry
  
  
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
  
As Dimension Stone, Building houses or walls, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate
  
Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
  
Not Yet Used
  
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
  
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
  
Other Uses
  
  
Commercial Uses
Cemetery Markers, Commemorative Tablets, Laboratory bench tops, Jewelry, Sea Defence, Tombstones
  
Cemetery Markers, Commemorative Tablets, Laboratory bench tops, Jewelry, Sea Defence, Tombstones
  
Types
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Features
Smooth to touch
  
Smooth to touch
  
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
Not Used
  
Not Used
  
Petroglyphs
Not Used
  
Not Used
  
Figurines
Used
  
Used
  
Fossils
Absent
  
Absent
  
Formation
Norite 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.
  
Gabbro, a mafic rock, forms due to cooling and crystallization of magma underneath Earth's surface.
  
Composition
  
  
Mineral Content
Augite, Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene
  
Augite, Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene
  
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Chromium(III) Oxide, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Trioxide
  
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Chromium(III) Oxide, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Sulfur Trioxide
  
Transformation
  
  
Metamorphism
Yes
  
Yes
  
Types of Metamorphism
Cataclastic Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism
  
Impact Metamorphism
  
Weathering
Yes
  
Yes
  
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering
  
Chemical Weathering
  
Erosion
Yes
  
Yes
  
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion
  
Coastal Erosion
  
Physical Properties
  
  
Hardness
7
  
7
  
Grain Size
Coarse Grained
  
Coarse Grained
  
Fracture
Conchoidal
  
Conchoidal
  
Streak
Black
  
Black
  
Porosity
Highly Porous
  
Highly Porous
  
Luster
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Compressive Strength
225.00 N/mm
2
  
7
225.00 N/mm
2
  
7
Cleavage
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Toughness
1.6
  
1.6
  
Specific Gravity
2.86-2.87
  
2.86-2.87
  
Transparency
Opaque
  
Opaque
  
Density
2.7-3.3 g/cm3
  
2.7-3.3 g/cm3
  
Thermal Properties
  
  
Resistance
Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
  
Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
  
Deposits in Eastern Continents
  
  
Asia
India, Russia
  
India, Russia
  
Africa
South Africa
  
South Africa
  
Europe
Germany, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Turkey
  
Germany, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Turkey
  
Others
Greenland
  
Greenland
  
Deposits in Western Continents
  
  
North America
Canada, USA
  
Canada, USA
  
South America
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
  
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
  
Deposits in Oceania Continent
  
  
Australia
New Zealand, Queensland
  
New Zealand, Queensland