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Quartzite and Skarn


Skarn and Quartzite


Definition

Definition
Quartzite is a non-foliated metamorphic rock that forms by the metamorphism of pure quartz Sandstone   
Skarns are formed during regional or contact metamorphism and from a variety of metasomatic processes involving fluids of magmatic, metamorphic, and/or marine origin   

History
  
  

Origin
Unknown   
USA, Australia   

Discoverer
Unknown   
Tornebohm   

Etymology
From quartz + -ite   
From an old Swedish mining term originally used to describe a type of silicate gangue or waste rock.   

Class
Metamorphic Rocks   
Metamorphic Rocks   

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock   
Durable Rock, Hard Rock   

Family
  
  

Group
Not Applicable   
Not Applicable   

Other Categories
Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock   
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock   

Texture

Texture
Foliated, Granular   
Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough   

Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Light Grey, Purple, White, Yellow   
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, White   

Maintenance
Less   
Less   

Durability
Durable   
Durable   

Water Resistant
Yes   
Yes   

Scratch Resistant
Yes   
Yes   

Stain Resistant
Yes   
No   

Wind Resistant
Yes   
Yes   

Acid Resistant
Yes   
Yes   

Appearance
Lustrous   
Dull   

Uses

Architecture
  
  

Interior Uses
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes   
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration   

Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone   
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone   

Other Architectural Uses
Curbing   
Curbing   

Industry
  
  

Construction Industry
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   
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, Gold and Silver production, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories   

Medical Industry
Not Yet Used   
Not Applicable   

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture   
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture   

Other Uses
  
  

Commercial Uses
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   
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Metallurgical Flux, Source of Magnesia (MgO)   

Types

Types
Not Available   
Endoskarns   

Features
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock   
Host Rock for Lead, Zinc and Copper Deposits   

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
Not Used   
Not Used   

Petroglyphs
Not Used   
Not Used   

Figurines
Used   
Used   

Fossils
Absent   
Absent   

Formation

Formation
Quartzite forms from sandstone and the mineral quartz being put under extreme heat and pressure.   
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Skarn is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.   

Composition
  
  

Mineral Content
Chlorite, Epidote, Hematite, Kyanite, Magnetite, Muscovite or Illite, Quartz   
Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Garnet, Magnetite, Pyroxene, Titanite   

Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide   
Au, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Cu, Fe, MgO   

Transformation
  
  

Metamorphism
Yes   
Yes   

Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism   
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism   

Weathering
Yes   
No   

Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering   
Not Applicable   

Erosion
Yes   
No   

Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion   
Not Applicable   

Properties

Physical Properties
  
  

Hardness
6-7   
6.5   

Grain Size
Medium Grained   
Fine Grained   

Fracture
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal   
Irregular   

Streak
White   
Light to dark brown   

Porosity
Less Porous   
Less Porous   

Luster
Vitreous   
Waxy and Dull   

Compressive Strength
115.00 N/mm2   
18
Not Available   

Cleavage
Indiscernible   
Slaty   

Toughness
1.9   
2.4   

Specific Gravity
2.6-2.8   
2.86   

Transparency
Transparent to Translucent   
Opaque   

Density
2.32-2.42 g/cm3   
2.8-2.9 g/cm3   

Thermal Properties
  
  

Specific Heat Capacity
0.75 kJ/Kg K   
18
0.92 kJ/Kg K   
10

Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant   
Heat Resistant   

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents
  
  

Asia
China, India, Israel, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey   
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka   

Africa
Ethiopia, Morocco, South Africa, Zimbabwe   
South Africa, Western Africa   

Europe
England, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, United Kingdom   
United Kingdom   

Others
Greenland   
Not Yet Found   

Deposits in Western Continents
  
  

North America
Bahamas, Canada, USA   
Canada   

South America
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela   
Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay   

Deposits in Oceania Continent
  
  

Australia
New Zealand, Queensland, Western Australia   
Central Australia, Western Australia   

Summary >>
<< Reserves

All about Quartzite and Skarn Properties

Know all about Quartzite and Skarn properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Quartzite and Skarn belong to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Quartzite is Foliated, Granular whereas that of Skarn is Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough. Quartzite appears Lustrous and Skarn appears Dull. The luster of Quartzite is vitreous while that of Skarn is waxy and dull. Quartzite is available in black, blue, brown, green, light grey, purple, white, yellow colors whereas Skarn is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, white colors. The commercial uses of Quartzite are 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 and that of Skarn are creating artwork, gemstone, jewelry, metallurgical flux, source of magnesia (mgo).

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