Difference between revisions of "Diorite"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
A hard, coarse-grain, black-and-white speckled, granite-like igneous rock. Diorite is composed of [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=plagioclase plagioclase] feldspar mixed with [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=hornblende hornblende], [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=biotite biotite], and/or [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=augite augite]. Small amounts of [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=orthoclase orthoclase] or [http://cameo.mfa.org/materials/fullrecord.asp?name=quartz quartz] may be present. Diorite was valued by the Egyptians and Sumerians for statuary and is presently used in building construction.  Sources of diorite include Italy (Sondrio), Germany (Thuringia, Sassonia), Finland, Romania, Sweden, Scotland, and the US (Minnesota).
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A hard, coarse-grain, black-and-white speckled, granite-like igneous rock. Diorite is composed of [[plagioclase]] feldspar mixed with [[hornblende]], [[biotite]], and/or [[augite]]. Small amounts of [[orthoclase]] or [[quartz]] may be present. Diorite was valued by the Egyptians and Sumerians for statuary and is presently used in building construction.  Sources of diorite include Italy (Sondrio), Germany (Thuringia, Sassonia), Finland, Romania, Sweden, Scotland, and the US (Minnesota).
  
 
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[[File:31.776-E7182CR-d1.jpg|thumb|]]
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== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
  

Revision as of 13:43, 14 January 2014

1974.599-SC31008.jpg

Description

A hard, coarse-grain, black-and-white speckled, granite-like igneous rock. Diorite is composed of Plagioclase feldspar mixed with Hornblende, Biotite, and/or Augite. Small amounts of Orthoclase or Quartz may be present. Diorite was valued by the Egyptians and Sumerians for statuary and is presently used in building construction. Sources of diorite include Italy (Sondrio), Germany (Thuringia, Sassonia), Finland, Romania, Sweden, Scotland, and the US (Minnesota).

31.776-E7182CR-d1.jpg

Synonyms and Related Terms

green stone; trap rock; diorita (Esp.); diorite (Fr.); diorito (Port.); Diorit (Deut.); dioriet (Ned.)

Other Properties

Takes a good polish

Composition C4H8O2
Mohs Hardness 5.5 - 6.0

Additional Images


Authority

  • C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
  • Van Nostrand's Scientific Encyclopedia, Douglas M. Considine (ed.), Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 1976
  • Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996
  • George Savage, Art and Antique Restorer's Handbook, Rockliff Publishing Corp, London, 1954

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