Definition
Variolites are a group of dark green basic igneous rocks which exhibit pale colored spots, or spherules, especially on weathered surfaces, that give them a pockmarked appearance
  
Chert is a hard, dark, opaque sedimentary rock which is composed of silica with an amorphous fine-grained texture
  
History
  
  
Origin
France
  
Unknown
  
Discoverer
Unknown
  
Unknown
  
Etymology
From Latin varius, speckled, variegated
  
From flint-like quartz, 1670s, of unknown origin- a local term, which has been taken into geological use
  
Class
Igneous Rocks
  
Sedimentary Rocks
  
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
  
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
  
Family
  
  
Group
Volcanic
  
Not Applicable
  
Other Categories
Opaque Rock
  
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
  
Texture
Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Vesicular
  
Banded, Rough
  
Color
Black, Brown, Light to Dark Grey
  
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, White
  
Maintenance
Less
  
Less
  
Durability
Durable
  
Durable
  
Water Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Scratch Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Stain Resistant
No
  
Yes
  
Wind Resistant
No
  
No
  
Acid Resistant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Appearance
Dull and Soft
  
Glassy or Pearly
  
Architecture
  
  
Interior Uses
Floor Tiles, Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Kitchens
  
Decorative Aggregates, Homes
  
Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
  
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
  
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
  
Curbing
  
Industry
  
  
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cobblestones, Rail Track Ballast, Roadstone
  
Arrowheads, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, Spear Points
  
Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
  
Not Yet Used
  
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
  
Artifacts, Monuments
  
Other Uses
  
  
Commercial Uses
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
  
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
Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate, 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
Variolites are a group of dark green basic igneous rocks that exhibit pale colored spots on weathered surfaces that give them a pockmarked appearance.
  
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
Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene
  
Quartz, Silicon
  
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
  
Silicon Dioxide
  
Transformation
  
  
Metamorphism
Yes
  
No
  
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
  
Not Applicable
  
Weathering
Yes
  
No
  
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
  
Not Applicable
  
Erosion
No
  
Yes
  
Types of Erosion
Not Applicable
  
Chemical Erosion
  
Physical Properties
  
  
Hardness
6
  
6.5-7
  
Grain Size
Not Applicable
  
Very fine-grained
  
Fracture
Conchoidal
  
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal
  
Streak
White to Grey
  
White
  
Porosity
Less Porous
  
Highly Porous
  
Luster
Not Available
  
Waxy and Dull
  
Compressive Strength
37.50 N/mm2
  
27
450.00 N/mm2
  
1
Cleavage
Not Available
  
Non-Existent
  
Toughness
2.3
  
1.5
  
Specific Gravity
2.8-3
  
2.5-2.8
  
Transparency
Opaque
  
Translucent to Opaque
  
Density
2.9-3.1 g/cm3
  
2.7 g/cm3
  
Thermal Properties
  
  
Specific Heat Capacity
0.84 kJ/Kg K
  
15
0.74 kJ/Kg K
  
19
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
  
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
  
Deposits in Eastern Continents
  
  
Asia
India, Russia
  
China, India, Iran, Japan, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
  
Africa
South Africa
  
Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
  
Europe
Iceland
  
Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom
  
Others
Not Yet Found
  
Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge
  
Deposits in Western Continents
  
  
North America
Canada, 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