Difference between revisions of "Flint"

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[[File:21.361-CR9457-d1.jpg|thumb|]]
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[[File:21.361-CR9457-d1.jpg|thumb|Nubian arrowhead<br>MFA# 21.361]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
  
 
A dense, tough, dark-color rock composed of microcrystalline [[quartz]]. Flint is generally a gray to black in color and has a waxy appearance. It tends to break with conchoidal chips. Flint is often found in [[chalk]] deposits and high quality flint is obtained from the coasts of Great Britain, France, Belgium and Germany. Flint has been used since Paleolithic times for weapons, tools, vessels and for starting fire. More recently, flint has been used on the firing mechanism of guns and as an [[abrasive]]. Flint is also used as an ingredient in fine pottery to reduce shrinkage and minimize deformation.
 
A dense, tough, dark-color rock composed of microcrystalline [[quartz]]. Flint is generally a gray to black in color and has a waxy appearance. It tends to break with conchoidal chips. Flint is often found in [[chalk]] deposits and high quality flint is obtained from the coasts of Great Britain, France, Belgium and Germany. Flint has been used since Paleolithic times for weapons, tools, vessels and for starting fire. More recently, flint has been used on the firing mechanism of guns and as an [[abrasive]]. Flint is also used as an ingredient in fine pottery to reduce shrinkage and minimize deformation.
  
[[File:11.788-CR6607-d1.jpg|thumb|]]
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[[File:11.788-CR6607-d1.jpg|thumb|Egyptian scraper<br>MFA#11.788]]
 
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[[File:Flintbeachf5.jpg|thumb|Flint nodules on beach]]
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
 
== Synonyms and Related Terms ==
  
 
flintstone; Lydian stone; touchstone; gun flint; potter's flint; hornstone; chalcedony; flintsten (Dan.); Feuerstein, Flint  (Deut.); caliza (Esp.); silex (Fr., Port.); vuursteen (Ned.); krzemieñ (Pol.); flinta (Sven.)
 
flintstone; Lydian stone; touchstone; gun flint; potter's flint; hornstone; chalcedony; flintsten (Dan.); Feuerstein, Flint  (Deut.); caliza (Esp.); silex (Fr., Port.); vuursteen (Ned.); krzemieñ (Pol.); flinta (Sven.)
  
== Other Properties ==
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== Physical and Chemical Properties ==
 
 
Fracture = conchoidal.  Luster = dull.  Streak = white.
 
  
{| class="wikitable"
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* Fracture = conchoidal. 
|-
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* Luster = dull. 
! scope="row"| Mohs Hardness
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* Streak = white.
| 6.5 - 7.0
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* Mohs Hardness = 6.5 - 7.0
|-
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* Density = 2.60-2.65 g/ml
! scope="row"| Density
 
| 2.60-2.65
 
|}
 
  
== Additional Information ==
 
 
Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Quartz.shtml Quartz]
 
 
[[File:Flintbeachf5.jpg|thumb|Flint nodules on beach]]
 
 
== Comparisons ==
 
== Comparisons ==
  
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</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
 
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==Resources and Citations==
== Sources Checked for Data in Record ==
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* Mineralogy Database: [http://www.webmineral.com/data/Quartz.shtml Quartz]
  
 
* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
 
* C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, ''Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
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* A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, ''Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries'', Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962
 
* A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, ''Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries'', Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962
  
* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com  Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flint (Accessed Nov. 2, 2005)
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* Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flint (Accessed Nov. 2, 2005)
  
 
* Ralph Mayer, ''A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques'', Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
 
* Ralph Mayer, ''A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques'', Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)

Latest revision as of 13:59, 21 August 2022

Nubian arrowhead
MFA# 21.361

Description

A dense, tough, dark-color rock composed of microcrystalline Quartz. Flint is generally a gray to black in color and has a waxy appearance. It tends to break with conchoidal chips. Flint is often found in Chalk deposits and high quality flint is obtained from the coasts of Great Britain, France, Belgium and Germany. Flint has been used since Paleolithic times for weapons, tools, vessels and for starting fire. More recently, flint has been used on the firing mechanism of guns and as an Abrasive. Flint is also used as an ingredient in fine pottery to reduce shrinkage and minimize deformation.

Egyptian scraper
MFA#11.788
Flint nodules on beach

Synonyms and Related Terms

flintstone; Lydian stone; touchstone; gun flint; potter's flint; hornstone; chalcedony; flintsten (Dan.); Feuerstein, Flint (Deut.); caliza (Esp.); silex (Fr., Port.); vuursteen (Ned.); krzemieñ (Pol.); flinta (Sven.)

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Fracture = conchoidal.
  • Luster = dull.
  • Streak = white.
  • Mohs Hardness = 6.5 - 7.0
  • Density = 2.60-2.65 g/ml

Comparisons

Properties of Common Abrasives

Additional Images

Resources and Citations

  • C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
  • CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980 Comment: density=2.63
  • Jack Odgen, Jewellery of the Ancient World, Rizzoli International Publications Inc., New York City, 1982
  • Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996
  • A.Lucas, J.R.Harris, Ancient Egyptian Materials and Industries, Edward Arnold Publishers Ltd., London, 4th edition, 1962
  • Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
  • Michael McCann, Artist Beware, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York City, 1979