Porphyry is a reddish-brown to purple igneous rock containing large phenocrysts of various minerals embedded in a fine-grained matrix
From Old French porfire, from Italian porfiro and in some cases directly from Latin porphyrites
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, Rust, White
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Surfaces are often shiny
Archaeological Significance
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.
Biotite, Chert, Feldspar, Garnet, Graphite, Quartz, Silica
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
China, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa
Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland
Deposits in Western Continents
Canada, Cuba, Jamaica, USA
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay
Deposits in Oceania Continent
New South Wales, New Zealand, Western Australia
Information about Porphyry
Rocks are naturally occurring solids which are composed of minerals & have been used by humans since ages. From Stone Age, rocks are used for various purposes. Also, the metals and minerals found in rock play an important role in our life. Get to know all the Porphyry Uses. We have provided you with all information about Porphyry rock here. Porphyry is a reddish-brown to purple igneous rock containing large phenocrysts of various minerals embedded in a fine-grained matrix. Porphyry is available in black, brown, green, grey, red, rust, white colors. The streak of a rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Porphyry is white. Get to know more about Porphyry rock and characteristics of Porphyry rock in the next sections.