AN INTRODUCTION OF VARIOUS TYPES OF

STONES

BY– MANISHA AGARWAL

It is a sedimentary stone. It is not used for engineering works.

SALE

Coal is a sedimentary rock formed from decayed plants . It is mainly used in power plants to make electricity.

COAL

It is a sedimentary rock , mainly used in the manufacture of Portland cement , production of lime, manufacture of paper, petro chemicals, insecticides, linoleum, fiber glass, glass, carpet, backing, and as the coating on many types of chewing gum. Lime stone slabs are used for flooring, paving and roofing.

LIMESTONE

A sedimentary rock , well stratified in thin beds. It splits unevenly more or less parallel plane and may contain fossils. It can be component of bricks and cement.

SHALE

A sedimentary rock more or less rounded. Generally thick bedded, van colored , rough fade due to uneven surface produced by breaking around the grains. It is very easy to dress and work. It is extensively used in general building construction and ornamental carving.

SAND STONE

An igneous plutonic rock , medium to coarse grained that is high in silica, potassium sodium and quartz but low in calcium, iron and magnesium. It is widely used for architectural construction, ornamental stone and monuments. It is very hard and durable stone suitable for bridge abutments, piers etc. It is not suitable for carving.

GRANITE

It is an igneous volcanic rock , a porous brittle variety of hyalites and is light enough to float. It is formed when magma of granite composition erupts of the earth’s surface or intrudes the crusts at shallow depths. It is used as an abrasive material in soaps, emery boards etc.

PUMICE

An igneous rock generally massive, but may exhibit a layered structure produced by successive layers of different minerals composition. It is widely used as cursed stone for concrete aggregate , road metal, rail road ballast etc. Smaller qualities are cut and polished for dimension stone is called black granite.

GABBRO

An igneous volcanic rock, dark, grey to black. It is the volcanic equipment of plutonic gabbros and is rich in petro magnesium minerals. Basalt can be used in aggregate. It is hard and compact and very expensive to work. It is used in foundations of structures and superstructures also but not used for ornamental work.

BASALT

A metamorphic , uneven granular, medium to coarse grained , crystalline with prominent parallel mineral orientation. Goes from slivery white to all shades of grey with yellow to brown tones depending on the mineral consideration. Some schist have graphite or some are used as building stones.

SCHISTS

A metamorphic uneven granular medium with more or less parallel mineral orientation. Colors are too variable to be of diagnostic value. Due to physical and chemical similarly between many gneiss and plutonic igneous rocks. Some are used as building stone and other structural purpose.

GNEISS

A metamorphic or sedimentary rock with crystalline texture consists of rounded quartz grains cemented by crystalline quartz, generally white, light grey, or yellow to brown. It is used in rubble masonry and also as road metal. It is also a very good coarse aggregate for concrete.

QUARTZITE

A metamorphic even granular grain to medium grained and may be uneven granular and coarse grained in calc silicate rock. The normal color is white but accessory color minerals act as coloring agents and may produce a variety of colors. Depending upon its purity texture , color, pattern it is quarried for use as dimension stone for statuary architectural and ornamental purposes. Polo mite rich marble may be a source for magnesium and is used as ingredient in manufacture of refracting materials.

MARBLE

It is originally a sedimentary rock which is converted into metamorphic rock having laminations. It can be available in colors like grey, black, dark blue and reddish brown. It is used as roofing and flooring material. Harder slates are used for damp proofing and steps for staircases.

SLATE

It is metamorphic rock of sedimentary origin and chemically argillaceous type of rock. Its colors may be dark grey or red. It can be easily quarried in form of rectangular blocks. It is normally used for interior type of stone masonry work.

LATERITE

It is a mixture of water borne pebble with sand. It is used for surfacing roads, bind age, and also in concretes.

GRAVEL

It is pure white lime stone of sedimentary origin and very soft , can be converted into powder easily. It is used in manufacture of cement and glazier’s putty but not suitable for engineering work.

CHALK

It is an igneous stone which is very hard and tough. It is used as road metal and as ornamental work.

PORPHYRY

It is formed when small pieces of gravel and shingle are cemented together by means of clay or lime. It is used for revetment or pitching but not suitable for construction work.

CONGLOMERATE

It is an igneous rock soft as well as compact. It has stripped appearance resembling the skin of a serpent. It is used for decoration purposes.

SERPENTINE

It is an igneous rock , has light white color with the feeling of smoothness like soap when touched with finger. It is used for making crockery, for electrical and sanitary items.

CHINA CLAY

It is a metamorphic rock which is obtained as a result of disintegration of late rite stone. It is used as blindage in the construction of water bound macadam places. roads. It is also used on footpaths and in front of buildings to beautify those.

MOORUM

THANK YOUBYMANISHA AGARWAL