Definition
Origin
Discoverer
Etymology
Class
Sub-Class
Group
Other Categories
Texture
Color
Maintenance
Durability
Water Resistant
Scratch Resistant
Stain Resistant
Wind Resistant
Acid Resistant
Appearance
Interior Uses
Exterior Uses
Other Architectural Uses
Construction Industry
Medical Industry
Antiquity Uses
Commercial Uses
Types
Features
Monuments
Famous Monuments
Sculpture
Famous Sculptures
Pictographs
Petroglyphs
Figurines
Fossils
Formation
Mineral Content
Compound Content
Metamorphism
Types of Metamorphism
Weathering
Types of Weathering
Erosion
Types of Erosion
Hardness
Grain Size
Fracture
Streak
Porosity
Luster
Compressive Strength
Cleavage
Toughness
Specific Gravity
Transparency
Density
Specific Heat Capacity
Resistance
Asia
Africa
Europe
Others
North America
South America
Australia
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
From Latin obsidianus, misprint of Obsianus (lapis) (stone) of Obsius
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Red, Tan, Yellow
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Knives, Scrapers, Spear Points
Creating Artwork, Mirror, Used in aquariums
Fireworks Obsidian, Mahogany, Sheen Obsidian, Snowflake obsidian and Velvet Peacock Obsidian
Blocks negativity, Helps to protect against depression
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.
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Afghanistan, Indonesia, Japan, Russia
Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Turkey
Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Peru
Quartzite is a non-foliated metamorphic rock that forms by the metamorphism of pure quartz Sandstone
Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Light Grey, Purple, White, Yellow
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
Arrowheads, As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Production of Glass and Ceramics, Rail Track Ballast, Roadstone
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, As armour rock for sea walls, Cemetery Markers, Commemorative Tablets, In aquifers, Laboratory bench tops, Petroleum reservoirs, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO), Tombstones, Used in aquariums
Orthoquartzite and Metaquartzite
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock
Quartzite forms from sandstone and the mineral quartz being put under extreme heat and pressure.
Chlorite, Epidote, Hematite, Kyanite, Magnetite, Muscovite or Illite, Quartz
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal
Transparent to Translucent
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
China, India, Israel, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey
Ethiopia, Morocco, South Africa, Zimbabwe
England, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, United Kingdom
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela
New Zealand, Queensland, Western Australia