Syenite and Granodiorite

Syenite

Granodiorite

Definition

Syenite is a coarse-grained igneous rock which is composed mainly of alkali feldspar and various ferromagnesian minerals

Granodiorite is a coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock containing quartz and plagioclase, and which has composition in between granite and diorite

History

Discoverer

Unknown

Etymology

From French syénite, from Latin Syenites (lapis ) (stone) of Syene

From granite + diorite

Class

Igneous Rocks

Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock

Family

Group

Plutonic

Other Categories

Coarse Grained Rock, Fine Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Coarse Grained Rock, Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Earthy

Granular, Phaneritic

Color

Brown, Buff, Cream, Green, Grey, Pink, White

Black, Grey, Orange, Pink, White

Maintenance

Less

Durability

Durable

Water Resistant

Yes

Scratch Resistant

Yes

Stain Resistant

Wind Resistant

Yes

Acid Resistant

Yes

Appearance

Banded and Foilated

Veined or Pebbled

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses

Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Interior Decoration

Bathrooms, Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Floor Tiles, Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Interior Decoration, Stair Treads

Exterior Uses

As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings

As Building Stone, Bridges, Paving Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings, Resorts

Other Architectural Uses

Curbing

Not Yet Used

Industry

Construction Industry

As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Landscaping, Making natural cement, Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories

As Dimension Stone

Medical Industry

Not Yet Used

Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines

Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture

Other Uses

Commercial Uses

Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork

Curling, Gemstone, Laboratory bench tops, Tombstones

Types

Shonkinite

Not Available

Features

Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns, Is one of the oldest rock, Matrix variable

Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns

Archaeological Significance

Monuments

Used

Famous Monuments

Data Not Available

Sculpture

Used

Famous Sculptures

Data Not Available

Pictographs

Used

Petroglyphs

Used

Figurines

Used

Fossils

Absent

Formation

Syenites are formed due to alkaline igneous activities and are generally formed in thick continental crustal areas or in Cordilleran subduction zones.

Granodiorite is an intrusive igneous rock which is very hard, crystalline and is visibly homogeneous in texture and forms by melting of continental rocks.

Composition

Mineral Content

Amphibole, Biotite, Feldspar, Hornblade, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz

Compound Content

Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide

Transformation

Metamorphism

Yes

Types of Metamorphism

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

Weathering

Yes

Types of Weathering

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

Chemical Weathering

Erosion

Yes

Types of Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Sea Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion

Chemical Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Wind Erosion

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness

5.5-6

Grain Size

Medium to Fine Coarse Grained

Medium to Coarse Grained

Fracture

Not Available

Streak

White

Porosity

Less Porous

Luster

Subvitreous to Dull

Grainy, Pearly and Vitreous

Compressive Strength

150.00 N/mm²

175.00 N/mm²

Cleavage

Perfect

Not Available

Toughness

Not Available

Specific Gravity

2.6-2.7

Transparency

Opaque

Density

2.6-2.8 g/cm³

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity

0.92 kJ/Kg K

0.79 kJ/Kg K

Resistance

Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Wear Resistant

Heat Resistant, Wear Resistant

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia

China, India, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam

Africa

Angola, Egypt, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa

Europe

Bulgaria, England, Germany, Norway, Romania, Switzerland

Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sardinia, Spain, Switzerland, The Czech Republic, Venezuela

Others

Not Yet Found

Deposits in Western Continents

North America

USA

Canada, USA

South America

Brazil, Chile

Not Yet Found

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia

New Zealand, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia

Not Yet Found

Summary >>

<< Reserves

All about Syenite and Granodiorite Properties

Know all about Syenite and Granodiorite properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Syenite and Granodiorite belong to Igneous Rocks.Texture of Syenite is Earthy whereas that of Granodiorite is Granular, Phaneritic. Syenite appears Banded and Foilated and Granodiorite appears Veined or Pebbled. The luster of Syenite is subvitreous to dull while that of Granodiorite is grainy, pearly and vitreous. Syenite is available in brown, buff, cream, green, grey, pink, white colors whereas Granodiorite is available in black, grey, orange, pink, white colors. The commercial uses of Syenite are cemetery markers, creating artwork and that of Granodiorite are curling, gemstone, laboratory bench tops, tombstones.