Skarn and Argillite
Definition
Definition
Skarns are formed during regional or contact metamorphism and from a variety of metasomatic processes involving fluids of magmatic, metamorphic, and/or marine origin
Argillites are highly compact sedimentary or slightly metamorphosed rocks that consist largely or wholly of particles of clay or silt but lack the fissility of shale or the cleavage characteristic of slate
History
Origin
USA, Australia
Unknown
Discoverer
Tornebohm
Unknown
Etymology
From an old Swedish mining term originally used to describe a type of silicate gangue or waste rock.
From Latin Argilla (clay) and -ite in English which became agrilla+ -ite = Argillite
Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Sedimentary Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Family
Group
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Texture
Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough
Clastic, Polished
Color
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, White
Dark Grey to Black, Pink, Red, White
Maintenance
Less
Less
Durability
Durable
Durable
Water Resistant
Yes
No
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Stain Resistant
No
Yes
Wind Resistant
Yes
Yes
Acid Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Dull
Rough and Dull
Uses
Architecture
Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Interior Decoration
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
As Building Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing, Whetstones
Industry
Construction Industry
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
Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills.
Medical Industry
Not Applicable
Not Yet Used
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Other Uses
Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Metallurgical Flux, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
Fire resistant, Used to manufracture paperweights and bookends
Types
Types
Endoskarns
Not Available
Features
Host Rock for Lead, Zinc and Copper Deposits
Is one of the oldest 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
Not Used
Used
Petroglyphs
Not Used
Used
Figurines
Used
Used
Fossils
Absent
Present
Formation
Formation
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.
An argillite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock mainly composed of clay particles which forms from lithified muds which contain variable amounts of silt-sized particles.
Composition
Mineral Content
Calcite, Enstatite, Epidote, Garnet, Magnetite, Pyroxene, Titanite
Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Quartz
Compound Content
Au, CaO, Carbon Dioxide, Cu, Fe, MgO
Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide
Transformation
Metamorphism
Yes
No
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Not Applicable
Weathering
No
Yes
Types of Weathering
Not Applicable
Biological Weathering
Erosion
No
Yes
Types of Erosion
Not Applicable
Chemical Erosion
Properties
Physical Properties
Hardness
6.5
2-3
Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine Grained
Fracture
Irregular
Conchoidal to Uneven
Streak
Light to dark brown
White to Grey
Porosity
Less Porous
Highly Porous
Luster
Waxy and Dull
Waxy and Dull
Cleavage
Slaty
Slaty
Toughness
2.4
2.6
Specific Gravity
2.86
2.56-2.68
Transparency
Opaque
Opaque
Density
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
2.54-2.66 g/cm3
Thermal Properties
Specific Heat Capacity
0.92 kJ/Kg K
10
0.87 kJ/Kg K
14
Resistance
Heat Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Reserves
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka
Bangladesh, China, India, Russia
Africa
South Africa, Western Africa
Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
Europe
United Kingdom
Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada
USA
South America
Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay
Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Central Australia, Western Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia
All about Skarn and Argillite Properties
Know all about Skarn and Argillite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Skarn belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Argillite belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Skarn is Earthy, Mud-rich, Rough whereas that of Argillite is Clastic, Polished. Skarn appears Dull and Argillite appears Rough and Dull. The luster of Skarn and Argillite is waxy and dull. Skarn is available in black, brown, colourless, green, grey, white colors whereas Argillite is available in dark grey to black, pink, red, white colors. The commercial uses of Skarn are creating artwork, gemstone, jewelry, metallurgical flux, source of magnesia (mgo) and that of Argillite are fire resistant, used to manufracture paperweights and bookends.
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