1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Porphyry is a reddish-brown to purple igneous rock containing large phenocrysts of various minerals embedded in a fine-grained matrix
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
Egypt
1.2.2 Discoverer
Unknown
1.3 Etymology
From Old French porfire, from Italian porfiro and in some cases directly from Latin porphyrites
1.4 Class
Igneous Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Plutonic
1.6 Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Porphyritic
2.2 Color
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Red, Rust, White
2.3 Maintenance
Less
2.4 Durability
Durable
2.4.1 Water Resistant
✔
✘
81% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
✔
✘
86% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
✔
✘
66% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
✔
✘
49% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
✔
✘
48% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.5 Appearance
Dull
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
Construction Aggregate
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry
4 Types
4.1 Types
Rhomb Porphyry
4.2 Features
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Surfaces are often shiny
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
Used
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
4.3.3 Sculpture
Used
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
4.3.5 Pictographs
Not Used
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
Not Used
4.3.7 Figurines
Used
4.4 Fossils
Absent
5 Formation
5.1 Formation
Porphyry is formed in two stages: the magma cools slowly deep within the crust or the magma is cools rapidly as it erupts from a volcano, creating small grains that are usually invisible to naked eye.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Biotite, Chert, Feldspar, Garnet, Graphite, Quartz, Silica
5.2.2 Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
✔
✘
97% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
✔
✘
99% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Not Registered
5.3.5 Erosion
✔
✘
92% - Igneous Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6-7
Check 6-7 Range Rocks!
1
7
6.1.2 Grain Size
Fine Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
Irregular
6.1.4 Streak
White
6.1.5 Porosity
Less Porous
6.1.6 Luster
Dull
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
Not Available
Rank: N/A (Overall) ▶
0.15
450
6.1.8 Cleavage
Imperfect
6.1.9 Toughness
1.7
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
2.5-4
Check 2.5-4 Range Rocks!
0
8.4
6.1.11 Transparency
Translucent to Opaque
6.1.12 Density
2.5-2.52 g/cm3
Check 2.5-2.52 g/cm3 Range Rocks!
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
Not Available
Rank: N/A (Overall) ▶
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
China, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam
7.1.2 Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland
7.1.4 Others
Greenland
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
Canada, Cuba, Jamaica, USA
7.2.2 South America
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand, Western Australia