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Travertine
Travertine
is a white massive concretionary form of calcium carbonate, CaCO3
which is a resultant of deposition by springs (especially hot springs)
or rivers. Travertine is usually hard and semicrystalline. It is often
found in a beautifully coloured and banded as a result of the iron
compounds presence or some other impurities. Generally travertine is
less coarse-grained and takes a higher polish than stalactite or
stalagmite whose chemical composition and origin are similar.
Physical Properties of Travertine
| Light transmission |
Typically subtranslucent in all but extremely thin
pieces |
| Luster |
Dull to pearly or even subvitreous. |
| Miscellany |
Effervesces with dilute HCl. |
| Hardness |
3-4 Moh's scale |
| Color |
Colorless, White, Pink, Yellow, Brown |
| Density |
2.71 |
| Streak |
White |
| Specific gravity |
1.68 |
Chemical
Properties of Travertine
| Flash point |
89°F / 31°C |
| Solubility |
In water : at 68°F / 20°C : insoluble |
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In solvents : soluble in many organic solvents like
benzene hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons, acetone,
phthalates,methanol ,ethanol e.t.c. |
Uses
of Travertine
- The
compact crystalline variety of travertine has been used as building
stone since ancient Roman times.
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Jewellery like pendants and brooches
- Bookends
- Paperweights
- Carvings
like in chess sets
Occurances of Travertine
| Italy |
Tivoli |
| California |
San Luis Obispo County, Los Angeles |
| Algeria |
Algiers to Bona
Jurjura and Shellata
Bon-Haifa, Mascara Department |
| Argentina |
San Luis Province |
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