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 ganister is a hard, fine-grained quartzose sandstone or orthoquartzite which is basically used in the manufacture of silica brick typically used to line furnaces and is a type of sedimentary rocks.
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius
From gan′is-ter i.e a hard, close-grained siliceous stone, often forming the stratum which underlies a coal-seam
1.4 Class
Igneous Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
1.6 Other Categories
Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Glassy
Clastic, Granular, Rough
2.2 Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Beige, Black, Brown, Colourless, Cream, Dark Brown, Green, Grey, Light Green, Light to Dark Grey, Pink, Red, White, Yellow
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
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, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings, Paving Stone
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points
Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Production of Glass and Ceramics, Raw material for the manufacture of mortar
3.2.2 Medical Industry
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, In aquifers, Petroleum reservoirs, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO), Tombstones
2 Types
2.1 Types
Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian
Not Available
2.2 Features
Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression
Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns, Generally rough to touch, Very fine grained rock
2.4 Archaeological Significance
2.4.1 Monuments
2.5.2 Famous Monuments
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
2.5.3 Sculpture
2.5.4 Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable
Data Not Available
2.5.6 Pictographs
2.5.7 Petroglyphs
2.5.9 Figurines
2.6 Fossils
3 Formation
3.1 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.
Ganisters are formed by the destruction of easily weathered minerals mainly feldspar, within the surface horizon of soil by soil-forming processes.
3.2 Composition
3.2.1 Mineral Content
Not Available
Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Feldspar, Micas, Quartz
3.2.2 Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide
3.3 Transformation
3.3.1 Metamorphism
3.3.3 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Not Applicable
3.3.5 Weathering
3.3.6 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering
3.4.1 Erosion
3.4.2 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
4 Properties
4.1 Physical Properties
4.1.1 Hardness
4.1.2 Grain Size
Not Applicable
Coarse or Fine
4.1.3 Fracture
4.1.4 Streak
4.1.5 Porosity
Very Less Porous
Highly Porous
4.1.6 Luster
4.1.7 Compressive Strength
0.15 N/mm295.00 N/mm2
0.15
450
4.1.8 Cleavage
4.1.9 Toughness
4.1.10 Specific Gravity
4.1.11 Transparency
4.1.12 Density
2.6 g/cm32.2-2.8 g/cm3
0
1400
4.2 Thermal Properties
4.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K0.92 kJ/Kg K
0.14
3.2
4.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
5 Reserves
5.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
5.1.1 Asia
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
China, India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Uzbekistan
5.1.2 Africa
Kenya
Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa
5.1.3 Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
Austria, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
5.1.4 Others
5.2 Deposits in Western Continents
5.2.1 North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
Canada, USA
5.2.2 South America
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Brazil
5.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
5.3.1 Australia
New Zealand
New South Wales, New Zealand