Different Types of Rocks

Marble is foliated metamorphic rock, a rock that comes from limestone. It is often used for sculpture and building materials.

Photo: Mississippi Marble a type of metamorphic rock

Granite is a commonly used intrusive, igneous rock. It usually has a coarse texture and is usually quite large and hard.The type of granite you have depends on the concentration of feldspar and quartz found in the rock.

Rocks and therefore minerals have long been extracted from quarries. These quarries are often used to get building materials.

Gneiss rock is usually foliated and medium coarse in texture. It always comes from either igneous or sedimentary rock originally.

Photo: Skagit-Gneiss; made from metamorphic rock

This banded sedimentary rock contains iron. The red area is due to iron 3 oxide, the alternating grey part is due to the presence of iron 2 oxide.

Quartzite is a type of metamorphic rock that comes from sandstone. When sandstone is heated enough under pressure, it becomes quartzite. Cementing materials such as iron oxide, clay and carbonate help to give the quartzite its streaky look.

Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock normally occurring in layers or veins called coal beds.Coal begins as layers of plant matter which have accumulated at the bottom of a body of water.

Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals. It is commonly used for sculpture and as a building material. The term "marble" refers to metamorphosed limestone.