Gabbro
A variety of Igneous
What is Gabbro?
Gabbro is a coarse-grained igneous rock, usually black or dark green in color. It is extensively used in the construction industry for crushed stone materials for road building as well as floor tiles and stone counter tops. Brightly polished gabbro is used to make such items as cemetery markers and facing stones on buildings.
Etymology & Origins
The term "gabbro" was used in the 1760s to name a set of rock types that were found in the ophiolites of the Apennine Mountains in Italy. It was named after Gabbro, a hamlet near Rosignano Marittimo in Tuscany. Then, in 1809, the German geologist Christian Leopold von Buch used the term more restrictively in his description of these Italian ophiolitic rocks. He assigned the name "gabbro" to rocks that geologists nowadays would more strictly call "metagabbro" (metamorphosed gabbro).
Uses & Applications
Gabbro is a strong and durable rock well-suited for construction, and it has been used as a paving stone, for curbing, and other outdoor construction uses. It can be crushed and used as an aggregate material for roads and ballasts for railroad tracks. Gabbro is also a common source of rare metals, including chromium and platinum.
Healing Properties
Gabbro is said to be a spiritual stone that will help heal a person mentally and physically. Many psychics and shamans believe it can help reveal the darkness from past lives and deeds and allow the individual to move towards their higher purpose of living. For the most protective and cleansing energy, place these stones on your root chakra and crown chakra.
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Gabbro Market Value Calculator
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Gabbro Localities Map
See where Gabbro is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
Associated Chakras
Key Characteristics
Clasts of Gabbro
plagioclase, pigeonite, olivine, chromite , ilmenite
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Dark-colored
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 6
- Density
- 2.7 - 3.3 g/cm³
Chemical Properties
Also Known As
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