Rocks are definitely among the most common object on Earth. We find them on every street corner and in every natural landscape. We even use them to decorate our homes and hide our keys! These almost trivially typical and seemingly ordinary items actually come in hundreds of different shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns. Geologists categorize these endless rock types under three main categories: igneous rocks, formed from solidified lava or magma; metamorphic rocks, created by shifting of older rocks and minerals; and finally, sedimentary rocks, formed by the accumulation of organic and mineral particles over decades and centuries. The formation of these different kinds of rocks can have a great effect on their appearance. These 15 common, but extraordinarily beautiful rocks will leave you totally astounded and constantly searching whenever you come across piles of stones!
1. Napoleonite, an igneous rock also known as Corsite as it is found on the island of Corsica
(By Emmanuel Douzery, Wikimedia Commons)
2. Komatiite, a volcanic, igneous rock, found along the Komati River in South Africa
(By CSIRO, Wikimedia Commons)
3. Carbonatite, an igneous rock made of more than 50% carbonate minerals
(By Eurico Zimbres Zimbres, Wikimedia Commons)
4. Felsite, a hard-grained volcanic rock known for its use in making stone tools
(By Aram Dulyan, Wikimedia Commons)
5. Geyserite, a sedimentary rock found near geysers and springs, many pieces of which hold evidence of the earliest signs of life
(By Didier Descouens, Wikimedia Commons)
6. Gneiss, a metamorphic rock formed from rocks like granite and sandstone
(By Huhulenik, Wikimedia Commons)
7. Blairmorite, a rare porphyritic volcanic igneous rock found in Blairmore, Alberta, Canada
(By Georgialh, Wikimedia Commons)
8. Diorite, an igneous rock found in volcano arcs near mountain ranges
(By Michael C. Rygel, Wikimedia Commons)
9. Banded Hornfels, used in Northern England as whetstones, for sharpening tools
(By Fed, Wikimedia Commons)
10. Migmatite, formed from worn down metamorphic rocks and eroded mountain bases
(By Siim Sepp, Wikimedia Commons)
11. Lapis lazuli, a metamorphic rock considered a semi-precious stone because of its color
(By Hannes Grobe, Wikimedia Commons)
12. Variolite, an igneous volcanic rock commonly found in the form of round pebbles
(By Schaferpho, Wikimedia Commons)
13. Llanite, a subvolcanic rock known for its pattern, only found it Llano county, Texas
(Wikimedia Commons)
14. Jaspillite, a chemical rock also known as Jasper taconite, used as a gemstone
(By James St. John, Wikimedia Commons)
15. Sylvinite, a multicolored sedimentary rock made from a mixture of minerals, found all over the world
(By shakko, Wikimedia Commons)
16. Tectonites, metamorphic or tectonic deformed rocks, formed by recrystallization of minerals
(By Mikenorton, Wikimedia Commons)
17. Hyaloclastite, an igneous volcanic rock, formed by remnants of lava flowing through submarine or subglacial conditions
(By USGS, Wikimedia Commons)
18. Unakite, a rock found mostly in North America, formed from altered granite
(By Tom Harpel, Wikimedia Commons)
19. Laterite, a rust-color sedimentary rock found in tropical areas and used for building monuments
(By Phó Nháy, Wikimedia Commons)
20. Tiger’s Eye, a metamorphic rock used commonly as a cats-eye gemstone
(By Marek Novotnak, Wikimedia Commons)
