Porphyry is a reddish-brown to purple igneous rock containing large phenocrysts of various minerals embedded in a fine-grained matrix
From Old French porfire, from Italian porfiro and in some cases directly from Latin porphyrites
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, Rust, White
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration
Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Surfaces are often shiny
Archaeological Significance
Porphyry is formed in two stages: the magma cools slowly deep within the crust or the magma is cools rapidly as it erupts from a volcano, creating small grains that are usually invisible to naked eye.
Biotite, Chert, Feldspar, Garnet, Graphite, Quartz, Silica
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant
Deposits in Eastern Continents
China, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa
Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland
Deposits in Western Continents
Canada, Cuba, Jamaica, USA
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay
Deposits in Oceania Continent
New South Wales, New Zealand, Western Australia
Learn more about Properties of Porphyry
What is Porphyry? In this section, we will learn more about properties of Porphyry i.e. physical and thermal properties. Physical properties of Porphyry include Color, Streak, Hardness, Structure, Cleavage, Fracture, Luster, Specific Gravity etc. The strength of Porphyry is 150.00 N/mm2. Streak of Porphyry is white while its cleavage is . Luster of Porphyry is dull and its fracture is irregular. Porphyry is translucent to opaque in nature. Know all about Porphyry, What is Porphyry, its composition, features, facts and reserves in next sections.
Know about Composition of Porphyry
What is Porphyry composed of? Get to know about composition of Porphyry here. Porphyry definition gives information about the Formation of Porphyry and its composition.The composition of Porphyry can be further divided into mineral and compound content. The mineral content of Porphyry rock includes Biotite, Chert, Feldspar, Garnet, Graphite, Quartz, Silica and The compound content of Porphyry rock includes Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide. Almost all rocks undergo transformation process. Know all about Porphyry rock in next section.