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
Talc carbonate is nothing but a rock sequence or a mineral composition found in metamorphic ultramafic rocks.
Origin
France
China, USA, Middle east
Discoverer
Unknown
Unknown
Etymology
From Latin varius, speckled, variegated
From medieval Latin, talcum
Class
Igneous Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Group
Volcanic
Not Applicable
Other Categories
Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Texture
Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Vesicular
Very Soft
Color
Black, Brown, Light to Dark Grey
Colourless, Grey, White
Durability
Durable
Durable
Scratch Resistant
Yes
Yes
Appearance
Dull and Soft
Soft
Interior Uses
Floor Tiles, Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Kitchens
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
Garden Decoration
Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Powder
Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone, Cobblestones, Rail Track Ballast, Roadstone
Source of calcium
Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
Commercial Uses
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork
Manufacturing of baby powder
Types
Not Available
Not Available
Features
Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate, Very fine grained rock
Easily splits into thin plates, Generally rough to touch, Host Rock for Lead
Archaeological Significance
Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
Petroglyphs
Used
Not Used
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.
Due to change in environmental conditions, rocks are heated and pressurized deep inside the Earth's surface. Talc Carbonate is formed from the extreme heat caused by magma or by the intense collisions and friction of tectonic plates.
Mineral Content
Olivine, Plagioclase, Pyroxene
Carbonate, Chlorite, Magnesium
Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, FeO, Potassium Oxide, MgO, MnO, Sodium Oxide, Phosphorus Pentoxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO
Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism
Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
Not Applicable
Types of Erosion
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Grain Size
Not Applicable
Fine Grained
Streak
White to Grey
White
Porosity
Less Porous
Less Porous
Luster
Not Available
Pearly
Cleavage
Not Available
Perfect
Specific Gravity
2.8-3
2.86
Transparency
Opaque
Translucent
Density
2.9-3.1 g/cm3
2.8-2.9 g/cm3
Resistance
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
Heat Resistant, Wear Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Asia
India, Russia
Not Yet Found
Africa
South Africa
Ethiopia, Ghana, Western Africa
Others
Not Yet Found
Not Yet Found
Deposits in Western Continents
North America
Canada, USA
Canada, USA
South America
Brazil
Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay
Deposits in Oceania Continent
Australia
Not Yet Found
Central Australia, South Australia, Western Australia
All about Variolite and Talc carbonate Properties
Know all about Variolite and Talc carbonate properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Variolite belongs to Igneous Rocks while Talc carbonate belongs to Metamorphic Rocks.Texture of Variolite is Glassy, Massive, Porphyritic, Scoriaceous, Vesicular whereas that of Talc carbonate is Very Soft. Variolite appears Dull and Soft and Talc carbonate appears Soft. The luster of Variolite is not available while that of Talc carbonate is pearly. Variolite is available in black, brown, light to dark grey colors whereas Talc carbonate is available in colourless, grey, white colors. The commercial uses of Variolite are cemetery markers, creating artwork and that of Talc carbonate are manufacturing of baby powder.