Metamorphic Collection (page 3)

Ruin marble
Ruin Marble, when polished resembles ruins of buildings. This specimen originates from the Val d Arno, Fiorentino, Florence, Italy

Slate
Cambrian slate from North Wales. Slate is metamorphosed shale

Quartzite

Lapis lazuli from Afghanistan
Polished slab of lapis lazuli containing some brassy-coloured pyrite. Lapis lazuli (sodium calcium aluminum silicate sulphur sulphate) is a rich blue opaque, semi-precious stone

Belt-hook in lapis lazuli
Carved chinese belt-hook on a piece of rough lapis lazuli from Badakhstan. Lapis lazuli (sodium calcium aluminum silicate sulphur sulphate) is a rich blue opaque, semi-precious stone

Lapis lazuli from Siberia
A polished slab of Siberian Lapis lazuli containing white calcite and some brassy pyrite. Lapis lazuli means blue rock, with the rich colour due to the sulphur in its composition

Marble

Quartzite rocks. Quartzite is a metamorphic rock whose colour ranges from white (pure quartz) to black. It is formed by the metamorphism of a pure sandstone

Mixed geology of Rockham beach
Mixed geology of Rockham Beach. These cliffs are composed of Upper Devonian shale. This is a sedimentary rock formed from layers of clay or mud. Marble intrusions are seen in the foreground

Quartzite rocks covered in lichens. Quartzite is a metamorphic rock whose colour ranges from white (pure quartz, seen here) to black

Slate cliff face. Photographed at Cape Enrage, Barn Marsh Island, New Brunswick, Canada

Marble. Surface of polished Italian marble. Marble is a metamorphic rock mainly composed of calcite (calcium carbonate). Traces of impurities give marble its variety of colours

Marble quarrying
Marble quarry. View over a marble quarry. In this image it is easy to see how the marble is quarried in steps. Photographed at the Koelginskoye deposit in the Chelyabinsk region, Russia

Folded gneiss. Intensively folded gneiss bedrock. Gneiss is a common metamorphic rock formed from sedimentary rocks that are squashed by the high temperatures

Glacial gneiss erratic. An erratic is a boulder which has been transported from its point of origin by a glacier. Often the erratic is deposited in an area with a different geology

Inclusion marks on a boulder abocve the Langdale Valley in the Lake district, UK
Ashley Cooper / SpecialistStock

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"Unveiling the Mysteries of Metamorphic: From Coal Unloading in the 1930s to Abstract Patterns in Slate Rock" Step back in time to the 1930s, where men labored tirelessly unloading coal, a metamorphic journey from its humble origins. Witnessing this transformation is akin to observing an abstract pattern detail found within slate rock on the enchanting shores of Kintra, Islay, Scotland. Delving deeper into Earth's ancient history, we encounter crenulation cleavage developed in Pre-Cambrian age chlorite schist. This metamorphic rock tells tales of immense pressure and heat that shaped it over millennia. Venturing further into geological wonders, mica schist captures our attention with its shimmering layers reflecting light like a mesmerizing dance. Vitrifications and other volcanic productions showcased on Plate LII remind us of nature's fiery power as lava flows solidify into scoria and pumice stones atop Mount Vesuvius. But it doesn't end there; Mount Vesuvius also gifts us with crystals known as gems. These precious stones hold secrets deep within their crystalline structures—Plate LIIII unveils their captivating beauty for all to behold. Marvel at marble and other mixed stones polished by human hands from Vesuvius' fertile grounds—Plate L showcases their exquisite craftsmanship while honoring Mother Nature's gift. Curiosity leads us down a hollow road leading from Pisciarelli—a place where specimens of curious volcanic matter await discovery. Each piece holds clues about Earth's tumultuous past and offers glimpses into its ever-changing landscape. Finally, let us not forget the grand tapestry that is Earth's crust—the formation of layers spanning eons up until the Cretaceous Period. A color lithograph brings this intricate process to life before our eyes—an awe-inspiring reminder of our planet's dynamic nature.