1 Definition
1.1 Definition
It is a metamorphic magnesium rich rock because it is composed of the mineral talc
Blueschist is a metamorphic rock which is generally blue in color and is formed under conditions of high pressure and low temperature
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
1.2.2 Discoverer
1.3 Etymology
From 17th century, because of its greasy feel and use like a soap
From French schiste, Greek skhistos i.e. split
1.4 Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1.6 Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
2.2 Color
Black, Black to Grey, Green, Grey
Blue, Bluish - Grey, Purple, Shades of Blue
2.3 Maintenance
2.4 Durability
2.4.1 Water Resistant
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
2.5 Appearance
Dull, Banded and Foilated
Dull and Banded
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Bathrooms, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Floor Tiles, Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Kitchens
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
As Dimension Stone, Cobblestones, Rail Track Ballast, Roadstone
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Manufacture of Soap, Solvents, Dyes, Plastics and Fibres, Production of Lime, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
Cemetery Markers, Commemorative Tablets, Creating Artwork, Curling, Tombstones
4 Types
4.1 Types
Not Available
Not Available
4.2 Features
Host Rock for Lead
Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate, Very fine grained rock
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Stonehenge in English county of Wiltshire
Data Not Available
4.3.3 Sculpture
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
4.3.5 Pictographs
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
4.3.7 Figurines
4.4 Fossils
5 Formation
5.1 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.
Blueschist forms due to the metamorphism of basalt and other rocks with similar composition at high pressures and low temperatures and approximately corresponding to a depth of 15 to 30 kilometers and 200 to 500 °C.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Albite, Apatite, Biotite, Calcite, Carbonate, Clay Minerals, Hornblende, Ilmenite, Micas, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz
Albite, Chlorite, Epidote, Garnet, Glaucophane, Lawsonite, Muscovite or Illite, Quartz
5.2.2 Compound Content
CaO, Mg, MgO
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Not Applicable
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Not Applicable
Mechanical Weathering
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Not Applicable
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Fine Grained
Fine to Medium Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
6.1.4 Streak
6.1.5 Porosity
Less Porous
Highly Porous
6.1.6 Luster
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
6.1.8 Cleavage
6.1.9 Toughness
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
6.1.12 Density
2.8-2.9 g/cm32.8-2.9 g/cm3
0
1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
China, India, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand
Japan, Turkey
7.1.2 Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Western Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, South Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Austria, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
France, Greece, Iceland
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
7.2.2 South America
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
Central Australia, New Zealand, Queensland
New Zealand