Different Rocks and Their Uses

What is the difference between a rock and a stone?

Rocks have been around since the beginning of time but we hardly get to know them and their uses. Here is a chance to know various rocks, their classification, and their uses.

Stone and Rock definitions

Stones are cut out of rocks thus smaller than rocks. Rocks refer to a solid mass formed by geological materials such as minerals, and organic and inorganic materials such as glass and fossils. They are found in the earth’s crust and on the surface. 

Rocks are classified based on formation and composition. These are the three main classifications.

• Metamorphic
• Igneous and 
• Sedimentary

Metamorphic rocks are formed when rocks go through the transformation caused by extreme pressure and heat. These rocks make some of the best finishing products.

Igneous rocks result from eruptions and are formed while magma and lava solidify. While this happens deep down in the earth, the rocks finally rise to the surface. Granite is the most commonly used igneous rock.

Sedimentary rocks are formed from preexisting rocks and other earth’s deposits such as fossils. Travertine, limestone, and Onyx are the most common sedimentary rocks.

Names of rocks

Here are the most common rock names under their classification

Commonly Used Rocks and Their Uses

Rocks are made up of one or more minerals. Some are essential while others act as an accessory. Rock uses are dependent on their origin and processes. Here is a list of the commonly used rock and their uses.

Marble: this is a constructor’s favorite rock for finishing works. It’s mainly used for building tabletops, monuments, and exotic interior and external decor.

Coal: Coal is a sedimentary rock, popular for the generation of electricity.

Chalk: another sedimentary rock that has multiple uses. Apart from making chalk for chalkboards, chalk is used for polishing and cleaning. It’s also used as an antacid and in form of calcium carbonate to raise pH in the soil.

Basalt: Crushed Basalt is a major aggregate in roads and general construction. It’s also commonly used by landscapers for hardscaping.

Limestone: this is a sedimentary rock used to make fiberglass, linoleum, paper, cement, and surprisingly, chewing gums among other things.

Gabbro: a massively utilized igneous rock in its crushed form to make railroad ballast, concrete aggregate, and most importantly black granite for hardscaping purposes.

Quartzite: it consists of Quartz grains that are used for making oscillators for GPS equipment, watches, cell phones, TVs, clocks, radios, computers, among other electronics.

Granite: it’s an igneous coarse-grained rock mostly used as an ornamental stone. It’s popular for architectural construction.

Pumice: this is a highly porous rock formed during a volcanic eruption. It is used as a landscaping aggregate and lightweight concrete aggregate. It is also a key abrasive in various consumer products.

Diatomite: this is a sedimentary rock used in filtering impurities such as protozoa and bacteria from water. It also purifies greases, oils, wine, and beer.

Iron ore: just as the name suggests, iron ore is used to produce iron. Iron is essential for making steel, which is a basic requirement in making building beams, locomotives, ships, and automobiles. Beams are useful for furniture making, reinforcing rods, paper clips, and other tools.

Schist: although a bit rare, schist rock is essential for building especially decorative walls. Some constructors use it for building houses. It is also used for jewelry 

Obsidian: has been a raw material for weapons ever since its discovery. It’s popular for making arrowheads, scrapers, knives, spear points, and other weapons.

These are just a few of the commonly used rocks. They are many more useful rocks and we keep discovering others.