Diorite is a common igneous rock which is grey to dark grey speckled black and white (thus the name salt and pepper) with occasional shades of green or pink, coarse in texture and extremely hard. When mafic rock partially melts in a subduction zone it is produced. Thus it is commonly produced in volcanic arcs.
It was known since antiquity for its hardness and was used for building by the Maya and the Inca in foundations, and by Islamic architects too, as material for pavements. Due to its hardness, it was used to create intricate artifacts. The Egyptians used it to fashion granite due to its very hardness.
It is extremely rare to come by and is found in the Andes mountains, Sondrio in Italy, Thuringia and Sassonia in Germany, Scotland, the Isle of Guernsey, Minnesota USA, Sweden and Romania.
It was known since antiquity for its hardness and was used for building by the Maya and the Inca in foundations, and by Islamic architects too, as material for pavements. Due to its hardness, it was used to create intricate artifacts. The Egyptians used it to fashion granite due to its very hardness.
It is extremely rare to come by and is found in the Andes mountains, Sondrio in Italy, Thuringia and Sassonia in Germany, Scotland, the Isle of Guernsey, Minnesota USA, Sweden and Romania.
