Definition
Phonolite is an uncommon extrusive igneous rock volcanic rock of intermediate chemical composition between felsic and mafic
  
A yellow sandstone which is flexible when cut into thin strips
  
History
  
  
Discoverer
Unknown
  
Unknown
  
Etymology
From the Greek meaning sounding stone because of the metallic sound it produces if an unfractured plate is hit
  
From the name of a mountain range where it was found; Itacolumi mountain in Brazil
  
Class
Igneous Rocks
  
Sedimentary Rocks
  
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
  
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
  
Family
  
  
Group
Not Applicable
  
Not Applicable
  
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
  
Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
  
Texture
Granular
  
Clastic, Granular, Rough
  
Color
Brown, Buff, Cream, Green, Grey, Pink, White
  
Beige, Black, Brown, Colourless, Cream, Dark Brown, Green, Grey, Light Green, Light to Dark Grey, Pink, Red, White, Yellow
  
Maintenance
Less
  
Less
  
Durability
Durable
  
Durable
  
Water Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Scratch Resistant
Yes
  
No
  
Stain Resistant
Yes
  
No
  
Wind Resistant
No
  
No
  
Acid Resistant
Yes
  
No
  
Appearance
Banded and Foilated
  
Rough
  
Architecture
  
  
Interior Uses
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes
  
Decorative Aggregates, Floor Tiles, Homes, Interior Decoration, Kitchens
  
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings, Paving Stone
  
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
  
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
  
Curbing
  
Industry
  
  
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories, Production of Glass and Ceramics
  
Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Production of Glass and Ceramics, Raw material for the manufacture of mortar
  
Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
  
Not Yet Used
  
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
  
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
  
Other Uses
  
  
Commercial Uses
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
  
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, In aquifers, Petroleum reservoirs, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO), Tombstones
  
Types
Kenyte
  
Not Available
  
Features
Application of acids on the surface causes cloudy frosting, Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns, Dissolves in hydrochloric acid, Is one of the oldest rock
  
Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns, Generally rough to touch, Very fine grained rock
  
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
Used
  
Not Used
  
Petroglyphs
Used
  
Not Used
  
Figurines
Used
  
Used
  
Fossils
Absent
  
Present
  
Formation
Phonolite are formed due to alkaline igneous activities and are generally formed in thick continental crustal areas or in Cordilleran subduction zones.
  
Itacolumite is a sedimentary rock which forms from cemented sand-sized clasts and is a type of sandstone.
  
Composition
  
  
Mineral Content
Albite, Amphibole, Biotite, Cancrinite, Feldspar, Hornblende, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Sodalite
  
Calcite, Clay, Clay Minerals, Feldspar, Micas, Quartz
  
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
  
Transformation
  
  
Metamorphism
Yes
  
No
  
Types of Metamorphism
Contact Metamorphism
  
Not Applicable
  
Weathering
Yes
  
Yes
  
Types of Weathering
Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
  
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering
  
Erosion
Yes
  
Yes
  
Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
  
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Wind Erosion
  
Physical Properties
  
  
Hardness
5.5-6
  
6-7
  
Grain Size
Fine Grained
  
Coarse or Fine
  
Fracture
Conchoidal to Uneven
  
Conchoidal
  
Streak
White
  
White
  
Porosity
Less Porous
  
Highly Porous
  
Luster
Greasy to Dull
  
Dull
  
Compressive Strength
150.00 N/mm2
  
14
95.00 N/mm2
  
20
Cleavage
Poor
  
Perfect
  
Toughness
Not Available
  
2.6
  
Specific Gravity
2.6
  
2.2-2.8
  
Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
  
Opaque
  
Density
2.6 g/cm3
  
2.2-2.8 g/cm3
  
Thermal Properties
  
  
Specific Heat Capacity
Not Available
  
0.92 kJ/Kg K
  
10
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Wear Resistant
  
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
  
Deposits in Eastern Continents
  
  
Asia
Indonesia, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Vietnam
  
China, India, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia, Uzbekistan
  
Africa
Angola, Egypt, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa
  
Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa
  
Europe
Andorra, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden
  
Austria, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
  
Others
Greenland
  
Greenland
  
Deposits in Western Continents
  
  
North America
Canada, USA
  
Canada, USA
  
South America
Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Venezuela
  
Brazil
  
Deposits in Oceania Continent
  
  
Australia
New Zealand, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia
  
New South Wales, New Zealand
  
All about Phonolite and Itacolumite Properties
Know all about Phonolite and Itacolumite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Phonolite belongs to Igneous Rocks while Itacolumite belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Phonolite is Granular whereas that of Itacolumite is Clastic, Granular, Rough. Phonolite appears Banded and Foilated and Itacolumite appears Rough. The luster of Phonolite is greasy to dull while that of Itacolumite is dull. Phonolite is available in brown, buff, cream, green, grey, pink, white colors whereas Itacolumite is available in beige, black, brown, colourless, cream, dark brown, green, grey, light green, light to dark grey, pink, red, white, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Phonolite are cemetery markers, creating artwork and that of Itacolumite are an oil and gas reservoir, in aquifers, petroleum reservoirs, soil conditioner, source of magnesia (mgo), tombstones.