Argillites are highly compact sedimentary or slightly metamorphosed rocks that consist largely or wholly of particles of clay or silt but lack the fissility of shale or the cleavage characteristic of slate
From Latin Argilla (clay) and -ite in English which became agrilla+ -ite = Argillite
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Dark Grey to Black, Pink, Red, White
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
As Building Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings
Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills.
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Fire resistant, Used to manufracture paperweights and bookends
Is one of the oldest rock
Archaeological Significance
An argillite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock mainly composed of clay particles which forms from lithified muds which contain variable amounts of silt-sized particles.
Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Quartz
Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
Bangladesh, China, India, Russia
Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania
Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
Deposits in Western Continents
Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
Deposits in Oceania Continent
New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia
Learn more about Properties of Argillite
What is Argillite? In this section, we will learn more about properties of Argillite i.e. physical and thermal properties. Physical properties of Argillite include Color, Streak, Hardness, Structure, Cleavage, Fracture, Luster, Specific Gravity etc. The strength of Argillite is -. Streak of Argillite is white to grey while its cleavage is slaty. Luster of Argillite is waxy and dull and its fracture is conchoidal to uneven. Argillite is opaque in nature. Know all about Argillite, What is Argillite, its composition, features, facts and reserves in next sections.
Know about Composition of Argillite
What is Argillite composed of? Get to know about composition of Argillite here. Argillite definition gives information about the Formation of Argillite and its composition.The composition of Argillite can be further divided into mineral and compound content. The mineral content of Argillite rock includes Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Quartz and The compound content of Argillite rock includes Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide. Almost all rocks undergo transformation process. Know all about Argillite rock in next section.