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
Jaspillite is an iron rich chemically formed rock which is common in banded iron formation rocks
Origin
Ethiopia
Western Australia, Minnesota
Discoverer
Obsius
Unknown
Etymology
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius
From Jaspilite (Mineral), a compact siliceous rock which resembles jasper
Class
Igneous Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Other Categories
Opaque Rock
Coarse Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Glassy
Banded, Trellis
Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Red, Reddish Brown
Durability
Durable
Durable
Appearance
Shiny
Banded and Glassy
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration
As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
Other Architectural Uses
-
Curbing
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
Medical Industry
Surgery
-
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums
Creating Artwork, Jewelry
Types
Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian
Algoma-type , Lake Superior-type and Superior-type
Features
Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression
Is one of the oldest rock
Archaeological Significance
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.
Jaspillite is a type of sedimentary rock which is formed by the compaction and sedimentation of pieces of broken or weathered rocks and minerals.
Mineral Content
-
Coesite, Quartz, Sand
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Fe, Iron(III) Oxide, Silicon Dioxide
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
-
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion
Grain Size
-
Large and Coarse Grained
Fracture
Conchoidal
Conchoidal
Porosity
Very Less Porous
Very Less Porous
Specific Gravity
2.6-2.7
5.0-5.3
Transparency
Translucent
Translucent to Opaque
Density
2.6 g/cm3
0-5.7 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Wear Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
Russia
Europe
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
Ukraine
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, Mexico, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Brazil
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
New Zealand
Western Australia
All about Obsidian and Jaspillite Properties
Know all about Obsidian and Jaspillite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Obsidian belongs to Igneous Rocks while Jaspillite belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Obsidian is Glassy whereas that of Jaspillite is Banded, Trellis. Obsidian appears Shiny and Jaspillite appears Banded and Glassy. The luster of Obsidian is vitreous while that of Jaspillite is earthy. Obsidian is available in black, blue, brown, green, orange, red, tan, yellow colors whereas Jaspillite is available in red, reddish brown colors. The commercial uses of Obsidian are creating artwork, mirror, used in aquariums and that of Jaspillite are creating artwork, jewelry.