1 Definition
1.1 Definition
It is a metamorphic magnesium rich rock because it is composed of the mineral talc
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
USA
1.2.2 Discoverer
Unknown
1.3 Etymology
From 17th century, because of its greasy feel and use like a soap
1.4 Class
Metamorphic Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Not Applicable
1.6 Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Polished
2.2 Color
Black, Black to Grey, Green, Grey
2.3 Maintenance
Less
2.4 Durability
Durable
2.4.1 Water Resistant
✔
✘
81% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
✔
✘
65% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
✔
✘
42% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
✔
✘
19% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
✔
✘
15% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.5 Appearance
Dull, Banded and Foilated
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Bathrooms, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Manufacture of Soap, Solvents, Dyes, Plastics and Fibres, Production of Lime, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
4 Types
4.1 Types
Not Available
4.2 Features
Host Rock for Lead
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
Used
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Stonehenge in English county of Wiltshire
4.3.3 Sculpture
Used
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
4.3.5 Pictographs
Used
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
Used
4.3.7 Figurines
Used
4.4 Fossils
Absent
5 Formation
5.1 Formation
Soapstone is a talc-schist, which is a type of metamorphic rock and it is largely composed of the mineral talc and is thus rich inmagnesium.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Albite, Apatite, Biotite, Calcite, Carbonate, Clay Minerals, Hornblende, Ilmenite, Micas, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz
5.2.2 Compound Content
CaO, Mg, MgO
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
✔
✘
50% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
✔
✘
65% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Not Applicable
5.3.5 Erosion
✔
✘
77% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Not Applicable
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Fine Grained
6.1.3 Fracture
Conchoidal
6.1.4 Streak
Black
6.1.5 Porosity
Less Porous
6.1.6 Luster
Greasy
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
225.00 N/mm2
Rank: 7 (Overall) ▶
0.15
450
6.1.8 Cleavage
Perfect
6.1.9 Toughness
1
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
Opaque
6.1.12 Density
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.88 kJ/Kg K
Rank: 13 (Overall) ▶
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
China, India, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand
7.1.2 Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Western Africa
7.1.3 Europe
Austria, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
Canada, USA
7.2.2 South America
Colombia
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
Central Australia, New Zealand, Queensland