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Soapstone Rock



Definition

Definition
It is a metamorphic magnesium rich rock because it is composed of the mineral talc

History

Origin
USA

Discoverer
Unknown

Etymology
From 17th century, because of its greasy feel and use like a soap

Class
Metamorphic Rocks

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock

Family

Group
-

Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Texture
Polished

Color
Black, Black to Grey, Green, Grey

Maintenance
Less

Durability
Durable

Water Resistant
Yes

Scratch Resistant
No

Stain Resistant
No

Wind Resistant
No

Acid Resistant
No

Appearance
Dull, Banded and Foilated

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses
Bathrooms, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration

Exterior Uses
As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration

Other Architectural Uses
Curbing

Industry

Construction Industry
Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories

Medical Industry
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture

Other Uses

Commercial Uses
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Manufacture of Soap, Solvents, Dyes, Plastics and Fibres, Production of Lime, Source of Magnesia (MgO)

Types

Types
Metamorphic rock

Features
Host Rock for Lead

Archaeological Significance

Monuments
-

Famous Monuments
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Stonehenge in English county of Wiltshire

Sculpture
-

Famous Sculptures
-

Pictographs
-

Petroglyphs
-

Figurines
-

Fossils
Absent

Formation

Formation
Soapstone is a talc-schist, which is a type of metamorphic rock and it is largely composed of the mineral talc and is thus rich inmagnesium.

Composition

Mineral Content
Albite, Apatite, Biotite, Calcite, Carbonate, Clay Minerals, Hornblende, Ilmenite, Micas, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz

Compound Content
CaO, Mg, MgO

Transformation

Metamorphism
Yes

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

Weathering
No

Types of Weathering
-

Erosion
No

Types of Erosion
-

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness
1

Grain Size
Fine Grained

Fracture
Conchoidal

Streak
Black

Porosity
Less Porous

Luster
Greasy

Compressive Strength
225.00 N/mm2 8

Cleavage
Perfect

Toughness
1

Specific Gravity
2.86

Transparency
Opaque

Density
2.8-2.9 g/cm3

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity
0.88 kJ/Kg K 13

Resistance
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia
China, India, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand

Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Western Africa

Europe
Austria, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Others
-

Deposits in Western Continents

North America
Canada, USA

South America
Colombia

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia
Central Australia, New Zealand, Queensland

Definition >>
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Metamorphic Rocks

Information about Soapstone

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 Soapstone Uses. We have provided you with all information about Soapstone rock here. It is a metamorphic magnesium rich rock because it is composed of the mineral talc. Soapstone is available in black, black to grey, green, grey colors. The streak of a rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Soapstone is black. Get to know more about Soapstone rock and characteristics of Soapstone rock in the next sections.

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