LOSANES, MA. ISABELLE A.          3AR-8IGNEOUS ROCKS1. GraniteLocation: Mountain rangesComposition: Quartz, Alkali Feldspar, Plagioclase, Hornblende, Biotite MicaStrengths: Very durable. Can be polished easily. Damage resistant. Beautiful. Chemical resistant.Weaknesses: Prone to staining. Porous.Aesthetics: Texture is course to very course grained. Colors vary from white, light grey, pink/red, grey, or black grained. 2. BasaltLocation: Ocean floor, around volcanic arcsComposition: Plagioclase, Pyroxene mineralsStrengths: Highly resistant to Alkaline, chemicals, and abrasion. Also has high compressive strength.  Weaknesses: Porous. Aesthetics: Fine-grained. Dark-colored (usually black). 3. PumiceLocation: Ocean floor. Italy (largest Pumice producer in the world).Composition: Silicon Dioxide, Feldspar, Augite, Hornblende, ZirconStrengths: Abrasive material. Resistant to extreme weather conditions. Lightweight.Weaknesses: Very porous. Brittle. Aesthetics: Highly rough texture. Light-colored (color varies from white, gray, green, brown).SEDIMENTARY ROCKS1. Sandstone Location: River deltas, sand dunes, beachesComposition: Quartz, FeldsparStrengths: Can be carved, cut, and shaped easily. Durable. Affordable.Weaknesses: Porous. Easily absorbs water. Prone to staining.Aesthetics: Texture is clastic. Color varies from red, white, yellow, or grey. 2. LimestoneLocation: Shallow waters Composition: Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3), AragoniteStrengths: Hard. Durable. Only has a few pores.Weaknesses: Prone to chemical weathering and corrosion. Acid rain may dissolve the rock. Heavy. ExpensiveAesthetics: Texture is clastic or non-clastic. It is also light-colored (white/grey to yellow).3. Shale Location: Oceans, lagoons, lakes, swamps (where water is calm/still)Composition: Illite, Kaolinite, Smectite Quartz, Chert, FeldsparStrengths: Useful additive to cement or clay products.Weaknesses: Splits unevenly. Fragile.Aesthetics: Fine-grained. Mix of clay flakes and tiny fragments. Color ranges from red, brown, green, gray, and black.METAMORPHIC ROCKS1. Slate Location: Cliff sides. Underground. Pits. Spain (largest producer and exporter).Composition: Quartz, Muscovite, Biotite, Chlorite, Hematite, PyriteStrengths: Can be cut and split into layers easily. Low water absorption. Highly durable. Low maintenance material. Fireproof. Long-lasting.Weaknesses: Very expensive. Extremely heavy. Aesthetics: Finest grained foliated metamorphic rock. Can vary in shade in color but it is usually dark grey.2. MarbleLocation: Carrara, Italy. China. India. Spain. (these countries quarry half of the world’s marbles)Composition: Calcite (CaCO3), Micas, Quartz, Pyrite, Iron Oxide, GraphiteStrengths: Stronger than Limestone. Easy to work with. Can maintain its polish. Hardwearing. Weaknesses: Less durable than Granite. Can be badly affected by acid rain and pollution.Aesthetics: Color is usually white.3. Schist Location: Near mountains.Composition: Chlorite, Muscovite, and, BiotiteStrengths: Used for decorations/ornaments. Weaknesses: Low physical strength. Aesthetics: Texture is medium to course grained. Colors vary from white, silver, and grey. Has yellow to brown tones.