Natural Indian Minerals
Shale Schist Phyllite Stones

Name and Composition - Shale and phylite are composed of argillaceous minerals like montmorillonite, illite etc. which are phyllosilicates. Schist mainly consists of mica, garnet, quartz etc. minerals.

Physical Properties - Shale is soft and splintery in nature, while schists/phylities through splintery, but hard in nature.

Mode of Occurrence - Shale occurs as almost sedimentary horizontally disposed bedded deposit while phylitie & schist are metamorphic rocks, having well developed cleavages with low to steep dips.

Uses - Schist & phylite are used as building stones mainly in roofing, paving, shelves; red shales are used as ochres/ pigment; white shales are used as clays.

Mineral based Industries – Edge cutting & greessing units. A few polishing units also exits.

Industrial Prospects – Processing/ dressing units.


Physical Properties
Hardness
Appearance
Fracture
Colour
1 to 2.5
Crinkled or Wavy
Conchoidal
Variable - black, shades of blue, green, red, brown and buff.
Chemical Properties
Compound Content
Streak
Resistance
Grain size
CaO, Carbon Dioxide, MgO
White
Heat and water resistance
Very fine-grained; crystals not visible to the naked eye.
© Copyright Reserved with Natural Indian Minerals.