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Diorite
Diorite
Diorite
Diorite

Diorite

Diorite

A species of Igneous

Diorite rock has a contrasting mix of black and white mineral grains. The most famous diorite sculpture is the Code of Hammurabi, a black pillar inscribed with Babylonian laws. Diorite accepts a bright polish and can be attractive as a gemstone. It is used in the construction of roads and buildings and is cut and polished for building facings.

Hardness
Hardness:

6 - 7

Density
Density:

2.8 - 3 g/cm³

General Info About Diorite

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Physical Properties of Diorite

Texture
Phaneritic
Colors
Dark gray, white, black
Magnetism
Potentially Magnetic
Grain Size
Coarse grained
Hardness
6 - 7 , Hard
Density
2.8 - 3 g/cm³, Normal Weight
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Chemical Properties of Diorite

Silica (SiO2) Content
59%

Discover the Value of Diorite

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Rarity
Easy to obtain
Collection Recommendation
3.6 out of 5
Popularity
3.7
Aesthetic
3.6
Rarity
3.4
Sci-Cultural Value
3.8

The Market Price of Diorite

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Rough/Tumbled Price

Fixed Price
$2 - $7 piece

Characteristics of Diorite

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Formation of Diorite

Diorite, which is very rare, underlies comparatively small areas; source localities include Leicestershire (one name for microdiorite—markfieldite—exists due to the rock's being found in the village of Markfield) and Aberdeenshire, UK; Guernsey; Sondrio, Italy; Thuringia and Saxony in Germany; Finland; Romania; Northeastern Turkey; central Sweden; southern Vancouver Island around Victoria; the Darran Range of New Zealand; the Andes Mountains; and Concordia in South Africa. An orbicular variety found in Corsica is called corsite.

Clasts of Diorite

Dacite, andesite, granodiorite, diorite, vein quartz, and silicified tuff

Cultural Significance of Diorite

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Uses of Diorite

Diorite is a common choice for stone countertops in modern kitchens and bathrooms. When crushed, it can be used to make road pavement, as well as the base structure for buildings and parking lots. Due to its applications for construction as well as its beauty, its use dates back to the Incan and Mayan civilizations.

Distribution of Diorite

Diorite, although not rare, underlies comparatively small areas; source localities include Leicestershire (one name for microdiorite—markfieldite—exists due to the rock's being found in the village of Markfield) and Aberdeenshire, UK; Guernsey; Sondrio, Italy; Thuringia and Saxony in Germany; Finland; Romania; Northeastern Turkey; central Sweden; southern Vancouver Island around Victoria; the Darrans range of New Zealand; the Andes Mountains. An orbicular variety found in Corsica is called corsite.

Common Questions People Also Ask

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