Diorite
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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).
Synonyms and Related Terms
green stone; trap rock; diorita (Esp.); diorite (Fr.); diorito (Port.); Diorit (Deut.); dioriet (Ned.)
Physical and Chemical Properties
Takes a good polish
| Composition | C4H8O2 |
|---|---|
| Mohs Hardness | 5.5 - 6.0 |
Additional Images
Diorite
Diorite
Diorite
Resources and Citations
- Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "diorite" [Accessed January 22, 2002
- C.W.Chesterman, K.E.Lowe, Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1979
- Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diorite (Accessed Nov. 2, 2005)
- 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