Many are often confused when it comes to telling the difference between a rock and a stone. Both these substances have a few similarities in terms of their internal structure and composition.
Rock vs Stone
The main difference between rock and stone is that rock is bigger and can be broken down to get mineral elements. Stone is comparatively smaller and can be cemented together to form components that are useful for construction.
Rocks are naturally occurring solid mineral materials that form a part of the earth crust. Rocks are a collection of other mineral grains that get cemented together to form a large structure.
Stones are considered to be the hard substances that combine to help form the structure of large rocks. They are formed with the help of mineral matter and are small in size.
Comparison Table Between Rock and Stone (in Tabular Form)
| Parameters of comparison | Rocks | Stones |
|---|---|---|
| Geological definition | Rocks are naturally occurring solid mineral materials that form a part of the earth crust and are found almost everywhere. | Stones are hard substances and are considered to be combinations of extracted minerals such as sandstone or limestone. |
| Size/Weight | Rocks are seen to be larger and heavier in comparison to stones. Boulders come under the category of rocks. | Stones are smaller and lighter in comparison to rocks. Smaller mineral materials come under this category. |
| Uses | Rocks consist of minerals matter that is very useful in developing technologies such as cosmetics, cars, roads and other appliances. | Stones have a variety of uses such as in construction sites for buildings, walls, concrete, asphalt and other building products. |
| Properties | The properties depend on the type of mineral material, and they usually have lustre, great size and weight, and texture. | Stones have either layered or unlayered structure, different porosity and absorption, hardness, and different texture. |
| Relation | Rocks are broken down into smaller pieces so that they can be utilised, and these smaller pieces are called stones. | Stones are considered to be the hard substances that combine to help form the structure of large rocks. |
What is Rock?
Rocks are considered to be the foundation upon which humankind has built its concrete jungle. They are naturally occurring solid mineral materials that form a part of the earth crust.
Rocks are found in many shapes and sizes, and if looked at with a broad perspective, they are larger and more substantial compared to other hard mineral substances such as stones.
There are three main classes or types of rocks present in the earth crust or found deep inside the earth, and they are as shown below –
- Sedimentary rocks – formed due to other existing organic or rock material. These include coal, limestone, flint, sandstone, halite, etc
- Metamorphic rocks – these are the rocks that have been changed from the original structure or form by the application of immense heat and pressure. These include gneiss, phyllite, schist, slate, etc.
- Igneous rocks – these rocks are formed when minerals or rocks are heated up, and then cool down after a while and solidify. These include dacite, granite, pegmatite, etc.
The physical property of rocks ultimately depends on their internal composition and the minerals that reside within it. The generic features one can observe just by looking at them are that they have lustre, great size and weight, and texture.
Rocks are used in many products that help in the creation of technologies such as cosmetics, cars, roads and other appliances. It all depends on the mineral that can be extracted from within the rock.
What is Stone?
Stones are small hard substances that are considered to be combinations of extracted minerals such as sandstone or limestone. These substances are combined either naturally or through cementing them together to form large rocks.
Stones are the building blocks of rocks, and due to their small size, they can be found almost everywhere on the earth crust.
Stones have many visible physical properties, such as being smaller in size and lighter in comparison to other organic mineral matter. They are seen to have either a layered or unlayered internal structure, different porosity and absorption, hardness, and different texture.
There are a few different types of stones that can be found on the crust, and they are –
- Sedimentary stones
- Metamorphic stones
- Igneous stones
- Artificial stones
Stones are also useful when it comes to creating building materials for constructions sites. They help build buildings, walls, concrete, asphalt and other construction products.
Conclusion
Rocks and stones have been integral in shaping the world as we see it today. They are considered to be the building blocks of all that surrounds us. Rocks are a larger substance that is composed of organic minerals and smaller stones. They can be found in many shapes and sizes, as well as in three different types, namely – sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous.
Stones are small and hard substances, formed due to the combination of organic mineral materials such as limestone and sandstone, for example. They are commonly used in construction sites for creating building or walls. Both rocks and stones are essential when it comes to construction appliances or the development of advanced technology.
References
- https://www.dictionary.com/browse/stones