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What is Porphyry?



Definition
0

Definition
Porphyry is a reddish-brown to purple igneous rock containing large phenocrysts of various minerals embedded in a fine-grained matrix 0

History
0

Origin
Egypt 0

Discoverer
Unknown 0

Etymology
From Old French porfire, from Italian porfiro and in some cases directly from Latin porphyrites 0

Class
Igneous Rocks 0

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock 0

Family
0

Group
Plutonic 0

Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock 0

Texture
0

Texture
Porphyritic 0

Color
Black, Brown, Colourless, Green, Grey, Red, Rust, White 0

Maintenance
Less 0

Durability
Durable 0

Water Resistant
No 0

Scratch Resistant
Yes 0

Stain Resistant
Yes 0

Wind Resistant
No 0

Acid Resistant
Yes 0

Appearance
Dull 0

Uses
0

Architecture
0

Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Interior Decoration 0

Exterior Uses
Garden Decoration, Paving Stone 0

Other Architectural Uses
Curbing 0

Industry
0

Construction Industry
Construction Aggregate 0

Medical Industry
Not Yet Used 0

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture 0

Other Uses
0

Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry 0

Types
0

Types
Rhomb Porphyry 0

Features
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock, Surfaces are often shiny 0

Archaeological Significance
0

Monuments
Used 0

Famous Monuments
Data Not Available 0

Sculpture
Used 0

Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available 0

Pictographs
Not Used 0

Petroglyphs
Not Used 0

Figurines
Used 0

Fossils
Absent 0

Formation
0

Formation
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. 0

Composition
0

Mineral Content
Biotite, Chert, Feldspar, Garnet, Graphite, Quartz, Silica 0

Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide 0

Transformation
0

Metamorphism
Yes 0

Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism 0

Weathering
Yes 0

Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Not Registered 0

Erosion
Yes 0

Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion 0

Properties
0

Physical Properties
0

Hardness
6-7 0

Grain Size
Fine Grained 0

Fracture
Irregular 0

Streak
White 0

Porosity
Less Porous 0

Luster
Dull 0

Compressive Strength
Not Available 0

Cleavage
Imperfect 0

Toughness
1.7 0

Specific Gravity
2.5-4 0

Transparency
Translucent to Opaque 0

Density
2.5-2.52 g/cm3 0

Thermal Properties
0

Specific Heat Capacity
Not Available 0

Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant 0

Reserves
0

Deposits in Eastern Continents
0

Asia
China, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam 0

Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa 0

Europe
Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland 0

Others
Greenland 0

Deposits in Western Continents
0

North America
Canada, Cuba, Jamaica, USA 0

South America
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay 0

Deposits in Oceania Continent
0

Australia
New South Wales, New Zealand, Western Australia 0

Summary >>
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Igneous Rocks

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 Not Available. Streak of Porphyry is white while its cleavage is imperfect. 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.

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