Obsidian

Evaporite

Obsidian and Evaporite

Obsidian

Evaporite

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1 Definition

1.1 Definition

Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock. It is produced when felsic lava extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimum crystal growth

A water-soluble mineral sediment resulting from concentration and crystallization by evaporation from an aqueous solution

1.2 History

1.2.1 Origin

Ethiopia

USA

1.2.2 Discoverer

Obsius

Usiglio

1.3 Etymology

From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius

From a sediment left after the evaporation

1.4 Class

Igneous Rocks

Sedimentary Rocks

1.4.1 Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock

Durable Rock, Soft Rock

1.5 Family

1.5.1 Group

Volcanic

Not Applicable

1.6 Other Categories

Opaque Rock

Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

2 Texture

2.1 Texture

Glassy

Earthy

2.2 Color

Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow

Colourless, Green, Grey, Silver, White

2.3 Maintenance

Less

2.4 Durability

Durable

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

Shiny

Glassy, Vesicular and Foilated

3 Uses

3.1 Architecture

3.1.1 Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration

Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Flooring, Homes, Interior Decoration

3.1.2 Exterior Uses

Garden Decoration

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone

3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses

Not Yet Used

Curbing

3.2 Industry

3.2.1 Construction Industry

Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points

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

3.2.2 Medical Industry

Surgery

Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium

3.3 Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Jewellery

Artifacts

3.4 Other Uses

3.4.1 Commercial Uses

Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums

Used in the manufacture of Ceramic Powder, Used in the preparation of Sulfuric Acid and Silicon Diborite

4 Types

4.1 Types

Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian

Not Available

4.2 Features

Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression

Generally rough to touch, Splintery, Veined

4.3 Archaeological Significance

4.3.1 Monuments

Not Yet Used

4.3.2 Famous Monuments

Not Applicable

4.3.3 Sculpture

Not Yet Used

4.3.4 Famous Sculptures

Not Applicable

4.3.5 Pictographs

Used

4.3.6 Petroglyphs

Used

4.3.7 Figurines

Not Yet Used

4.4 Fossils

Absent

Present

5 Formation

5.1 Formation

When the lava is released from volcano, it undergoes a very rapid cooling which freezes the mechanisms of crystallization. The result is a volcanic glass with a uniform smooth texture.

Evaporite is water-soluble mineral sediment which forms from concentration and crystallization by evaporation from an aqueous solution.

5.2 Composition

5.2.1 Mineral Content

Not Available

Calcite, Cancrinite, Gypsum, Kyanite, Magnetite

5.2.2 Compound Content

Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide

CaMg(CO₃)₂, CaO, Calcium Sulfate, KCl, MgO, NaCl

5.3 Transformation

5.3.1 Metamorphism

✔ ✘

5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism

Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism

5.3.3 Weathering

✔ ✘

5.3.4 Types of Weathering

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

Not Applicable

5.3.5 Erosion

✔ ✘

5.3.6 Types of Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion

Not Applicable

6 Properties

6.1 Physical Properties

6.1.1 Hardness

5-5.52-3

1 7

6.1.2 Grain Size

Not Applicable

Medium to Fine Coarse Grained

6.1.3 Fracture

Conchoidal

6.1.4 Streak

White

6.1.5 Porosity

Very Less Porous

Less Porous

6.1.6 Luster

Vitreous

Subvitreous to Dull

6.1.7 Compressive Strength

0.15 N/mm²225.00 N/mm²

0.15 450

6.1.8 Cleavage

Non-Existent

Perfect

6.1.9 Toughness

Not Available

6.1.10 Specific Gravity

2.6-2.72.86-2.99

0 8.4

6.1.11 Transparency

Translucent

6.1.12 Density

2.6 g/cm³2.8-2.9 g/cm³

0 1400

6.2 Thermal Properties

6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity

0.92 kJ/Kg K0.92 kJ/Kg K

0.14 3.2

6.2.2 Resistance

Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant

Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant

7 Reserves

7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents

7.1.1 Asia

Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia

Not Available

7.1.2 Africa

Kenya

Not Available

7.1.3 Europe

Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey

United Kingdom

7.1.4 Others

Not Yet Found

7.2 Deposits in Western Continents

7.2.1 North America

Canada, Mexico, USA

USA

7.2.2 South America

Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru

Colombia, Paraguay

7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent

7.3.1 Australia

New Zealand

Central Australia, Western Australia

All about Obsidian and Evaporite Properties

Know all about Obsidian and Evaporite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Obsidian belongs to Igneous Rocks while Evaporite belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Obsidian is Glassy whereas that of Evaporite is Earthy. Obsidian appears Shiny and Evaporite appears Glassy, Vesicular and Foilated. The luster of Obsidian is vitreous while that of Evaporite is subvitreous to dull. Obsidian is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors whereas Evaporite is available in colourless, green, grey, silver, white colors. The commercial uses of Obsidian are creating artwork, mirror, used in aquariums and that of Evaporite are used in the manufacture of ceramic powder, used in the preparation of sulfuric acid and silicon diborite.