Definition
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism
  
Chert is a hard, dark, opaque sedimentary rock which is composed of silica with an amorphous fine-grained texture
  
History
  
  
Origin
England
  
Unknown
  
Discoverer
Unknown
  
Unknown
  
Etymology
From Old French esclate, from esclat (French éclat)
  
From flint-like quartz, 1670s, of unknown origin- a local term, which has been taken into geological use
  
Class
Metamorphic 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
  
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
  
Texture
Foliated
  
Banded, Rough
  
Color
Black, Brown, Buff, Green, Light to Dark Grey, Purple, Red, Shades of Blue
  
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, White
  
Maintenance
Less
  
Less
  
Durability
Durable
  
Durable
  
Water Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Scratch Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Stain Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Wind Resistant
No
  
No
  
Acid Resistant
No
  
Yes
  
Appearance
Dull
  
Glassy or Pearly
  
Architecture
  
  
Interior Uses
Bathrooms, Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Floor Tiles, Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Interior Decoration, Kitchens, Stair Treads
  
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
  
Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
  
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
  
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
  
Curbing
  
Industry
  
  
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone
  
Arrowheads, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, Spear Points
  
Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
  
Not Yet Used
  
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
  
Artifacts, Monuments
  
Other Uses
  
  
Commercial Uses
Blackboards, Commemorative Tablets, Laboratory bench tops, Standard material for the bed of Billiard table, Standard material for the beds of Pool and Snooker table, Tombstones, Used in aquariums, Writing Slates
  
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, In fire-starting tools, Jewelry, To ignite fire, Used in flintlock firearms
  
Types
Not Available
  
Flint, Jasper, Radiolarite, Common Chert, Chalcedony, Agate, Onyx, Opal, Magadi-type Chert, Porcelanite, Siliceous Sinter
  
Features
Easily splits into thin plates, Surfaces are often shiny, Very fine grained rock
  
Clasts are smooth to touch, Easily splits into thin plates, Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate
  
Archaeological Significance
  
  
Monuments
Used
  
Used
  
Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
  
Data Not Available
  
Sculpture
Used
  
Not Yet Used
  
Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
  
Not Applicable
  
Pictographs
Used
  
Not Used
  
Petroglyphs
Used
  
Not Used
  
Figurines
Used
  
Not Yet Used
  
Fossils
Absent
  
Present
  
Formation
Slate is a low grade metamorphic rock that is generally formed by metamorphosis of mudstone or shale, under relatively low pressure and temperature conditions.
  
Chert forms when microcrystals of silicon dioxide grow within soft sediments that become limestone or chalk. The chert formation can be either of chemical or biological origin.
  
Composition
  
  
Mineral Content
Apatite, Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Graphite, Hematite, Kaolinite, Magnetite, Pyrite, Tourmaline, Zircon
  
Quartz, Silicon
  
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
  
Silicon Dioxide
  
Transformation
  
  
Metamorphism
Yes
  
No
  
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
  
Not Applicable
  
Weathering
Yes
  
No
  
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
  
Not Applicable
  
Erosion
Yes
  
Yes
  
Types of Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
  
Chemical Erosion
  
Physical Properties
  
  
Hardness
3-4
  
6.5-7
  
Grain Size
Very fine-grained
  
Very fine-grained
  
Fracture
Splintery
  
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal
  
Streak
Light to dark brown
  
White
  
Porosity
Less Porous
  
Highly Porous
  
Luster
Dull
  
Waxy and Dull
  
Compressive Strength
30.00 N/mm2
  
30
450.00 N/mm2
  
1
Cleavage
Slaty
  
Non-Existent
  
Toughness
1.2
  
1.5
  
Specific Gravity
2.65-2.8
  
2.5-2.8
  
Transparency
Opaque
  
Translucent to Opaque
  
Density
2.6-2.8 g/cm3
  
2.7 g/cm3
  
Thermal Properties
  
  
Specific Heat Capacity
0.76 kJ/Kg K
  
17
0.74 kJ/Kg K
  
19
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
  
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
  
Deposits in Eastern Continents
  
  
Asia
China, India, Turkey
  
China, India, Iran, Japan, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
  
Africa
Not Yet Found
  
Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
  
Europe
Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom
  
Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
  
Others
Arctic
  
Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge
  
Deposits in Western Continents
  
  
North America
USA
  
Canada, Mexico, USA
  
South America
Brazil
  
Bolivia, Brazil
  
Deposits in Oceania Continent
  
  
Australia
Not Yet Found
  
New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia
  
All about Slate and Chert Properties
Know all about Slate and Chert properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Slate belongs to Metamorphic Rocks while Chert belongs to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Slate is Foliated whereas that of Chert is Banded, Rough. Slate appears Dull and Chert appears Glassy or Pearly. The luster of Slate is dull while that of Chert is waxy and dull. Slate is available in black, brown, buff, green, light to dark grey, purple, red, shades of blue colors whereas Chert is available in black, brown, green, grey, red, white colors. The commercial uses of Slate are blackboards, commemorative tablets, laboratory bench tops, standard material for the bed of billiard table, standard material for the beds of pool and snooker table, tombstones, used in aquariums, writing slates and that of Chert are creating artwork, gemstone, in fire-starting tools, jewelry, to ignite fire, used in flintlock firearms.