Not all rocks are equally useful. With regard to crimson quartzite, people are almost unanimous and often use it for baths, relying on its healing power. It is no coincidence that they even gave it their own popular name - the royal stone, in which respect for the popular breed is felt and a specific assessment of its use can be traced. However, is it possible that most people are mistaken? Let’s check it out right now: our focus is on raspberry quartzite for baths and all its beneficial properties.
Why do you need a stone in a bathhouse?
First, let's look at the origin of the mineral. Crimson quartzite is a metamorphic rock that is considered the king's stone. It is formed from small granular particles of quartz, which provide its strength and hardness. The rock does not contain any impurities. The material consists of microscopic tightly fused quartz particles that form solid solid slabs. These are the main characteristics of the mineral. It is also important that the mountain stone is absolutely environmentally friendly.
Properties of the mineral:
- Raspberry quartzite for baths performs the most important function of storing heat in a room and releasing it. It is this ability of the rock that allows it to maintain a high temperature for several hours.
- The second property of the mineral is hardening at ultra-high temperatures and resistance to sudden temperature changes. Under the influence of high temperature and heat, crimson quartzite stone does not crack or split into particles. Magnetite rocks, which include the rock mineral, meet all safety requirements and are ideal for such buildings.
What are its benefits?
Of course, quartzite began to be used as a stone for baths precisely for its beneficial properties, which, perhaps, only the lazy do not talk about.
- helps well in the fight against rheumatism;
- perfectly eliminates pain in muscles and joints;
- regulates blood pressure;
- cures colds and strengthens the immune system;
- normalizes metabolism in the body.
Of course, these are not all the beneficial qualities that are usually mentioned in connection with the use of quartzite for baths.
The vast majority of people are also talking about stronger and healthier sleep - and just a general improvement in their well-being. Of course, you shouldn’t “blame” the royal stone alone for this: bath procedures, when properly organized, have no less a positive effect on the body, even if completely different rocks are used for kindling. If you often have a headache after a bath, then try quartzite: perhaps this is what will help you avoid the sad tradition.
Rules for choosing a quality mineral
Before starting to build a bathhouse, it is better to check the purchased building material for defects and reject stones that contain chips and cracks. One of the largest suppliers of the mineral is the company Leroy Merlin. On the company's website you can view the presented rock samples and place an order for their purchase.
Inspection of crimson quartzites for baths is carried out in profiling stores on site. Each element is tested - first it is heated under high temperature conditions, then cools down. Samples that are not chipped or cracked can be used for construction.
Quartzite differs from other rocks in its high cost and extraction method. For example, granite is mined naturally from the earth in blocks. Subsequently, it is sawn into pieces - slabs - and polished. Quartzite is made up of small grains of quartz and resin. This mixture is sintered, forming a slab of quartz agglomerate that is solid in structure.
Quartz is a little heavier than granite, making it more difficult to machine. Polishing of slabs should be done by a specialist.
Correct selection and installation of “bath stone”
If you are building a bathhouse yourself and want to build a stove, do not take the first material you come across for this purpose. The mineral for the heater should be:
- homogeneous;
- heat-intensive;
- harmless when heated;
- strong (withstand high temperatures).
In addition, it should not absorb too much water. Minerals mined specifically for these purposes always have such properties. They are sold already packaged: there is no need for additional processing.
Some people try to save money and collect pebbles from different places. This leads to unpleasant and even harmful consequences due to the unknown rock and unclear composition of minerals. When heated, they behave in unpredictable ways (for example, they may crack or emit unpleasant odors). If it breaks, a person may suffer serious injury or burns. That is why crimson quartzite for baths is considered one of the safest and environmentally friendly minerals that can be used for such purposes.
If you are planning to install an electric furnace, choose medium-sized ones. For wood-burning stoves, a mixture of large and medium-sized samples is suitable. Pay attention to their shape: it is best if it is round and the surface is slightly ribbed. Unevenness will contribute to the gradual evaporation of water.
Since Shoksha quartzite is a volcanic rock, it is ideal for a bathhouse. No wonder it is called “royal”. In addition to the fact that it promotes optimal heat and steam release, its properties create an atmosphere of comfort and coziness in the room. Even the highest temperature will not cause the mineral to quickly crack and become unsuitable for use.
When purchasing, pay attention to the presence of chips, cracks and other possible defects. Remember that you can make high-quality masonry from samples of different sizes. You should start working with the largest minerals and gradually reduce their diameter. The most durable masonry will be obtained if you use samples that have been pre-cleaned.
There are several rules for selecting material for masonry with gradual rejection based on a number of characteristics:
- carefully inspect each bath stone: make sure that the stones are not severely damaged;
- tap them gently with a hammer. The sound of good quality minerals is usually thin and sonorous, and deafness when tapped indicates that there are flaws inside. Because of them, such samples will not last you long.
In addition, the properties of the material can be easily tested using fire. High-quality Shoksha quartzite cannot be damaged by placing it, for example, in a fire. Those samples that have passed the test with dignity can be safely used for stove masonry.
Specifications
The stone is very practical
The description of natural material includes:
- fire resistance;
- durability, which is ensured by tightly intergrown quartz inclusions;
- resistance to mechanical damage;
- high water resistance;
- low degree of radioactivity;
- high degree of hardness;
- low thermal conductivity;
- resistance to external aggressive environments;
- retains its decorative effect for a long time;
- in terms of crushability and frost resistance - 1st class.
- the ability to maintain high temperatures for a long time.
Mineralogical natural bath material must be regularly checked for chips and cracks. The disadvantages of the material include the high probability of “crumbling” as a result of heating and polishing, which is typical for some samples of the mineral.
Description
Crimson quartzite, reviews of which are listed in the article below, occupies a separate place among the huge number of types of Karelian minerals. This is a unique stone due to its properties. It is also called porphyry, or Shohan porphyry (due to its external resemblance to the porphyry of Iran). It means “royal stone”.
The mineral combines very high strength, wear resistance, hardness, and also a beautiful appearance.
Crimson quartzite, as demonstrated by medical research, has healing properties. Thus, it stabilizes blood pressure, eliminates ailments in weather-sensitive people caused by weather changes, and also relieves pain in the joints and lower back.
In the bathhouse, Shoksha crimson quartzite makes the steam very light. This effect is achieved due to the low thermal conductivity and high density of the stone, which together gives excellent heat transfer over time.
Historically, this mineral was intended to decorate various majestic structures and buildings in St. Petersburg and Moscow. Perhaps this is the most solemn nugget from the Onega region.
Shokshin crimson quartzite has always been highly valued, which means it was used for finishing particularly significant architectural projects. Based on its mineral composition, it is considered almost pure quartz (about 98%). It is an environmentally friendly material, has almost no radioactivity, and this makes it possible to use it for cladding offices and residential premises. Good resistance to high temperatures provides advantages when using the mineral in sauna and bathhouse stoves.
Chemical composition
This is almost pure quartz, the chemical composition of which includes: quartz (90-95%), finely dispersed oxides and hydroxides of iron (2-3%), finely dispersed sericite (4-8%), chalcedony and silicon (5%). Chemical formula: SiO2.
If this material has undergone proper processing and polishing, after transformation it remains unchanged for 300-400 years. Like sandstone, it does not lose its strength qualities as a result of exposure to acid and alkali.
The external properties of crimson quartzite are no less valuable. Processed and polished quartzite has high decorative qualities. Therefore, it is often used to decorate bathhouses, stoves and other buildings and objects.
Due to its high strength and hardness, this material is difficult to process. However, if the mineral is properly ground and polished, it will radiate its natural shine for several hundred years. These are the external properties of the material. How is it useful for the body? Let's find out right now.
Raspberry quartzite for a bath
If someone asks “quartzite for a bathhouse,” there is no doubt that he is not looking for any kind, but specifically Shoksha crimson stone.
The reason is simple: the deposit is almost unique, supplying stone for two hundred years for very diverse needs: here are ball mills, and the plans of architects, landscape designers, and, of course, the needs of ordinary people who love good steam.
It is located just 60 kilometers from Petrozavodsk, on the shores of Lake Onega. And, judging by the assessment of the deposit, it will not be developed soon - geologists say that there are 1.3 million cubic meters of stone there.
Before talking about its bath suitability, let's find out what it consists of and what its basic physical and mechanical properties are.
Beneficial features
According to doctors, this mineral is of great value to the human body. The healing properties of the stone are as follows:
- normalizes blood pressure;
- eliminates weakness, lethargy and other ailments caused by weather changes;
- eliminates pain in the lumbar region;
- improves blood composition and circulation;
- relieves muscle and joint pain;
- strengthens the immune system.
Therefore, crimson quartzite for baths: reviews about this mineral are only positive, and is the most suitable decorative and building material for public recreation areas.
Healing and magical properties of quartzite
Quartzite, whose properties make it ideal for a heater, is considered by many not only to be a healing mineral, but also a magical one. Since ancient times it has been believed that he:
- Gives strength, resilience and courage.
- Helps fight evil, makes the soul noble.
Quartzite is used in folk medicine and isoteric practices - the use of the mineral corrects the human energy system. Under the influence of temperature changes (when stones are poured with water), mechanical deformations of quartz crystals occur, generating electromagnetic vibrations. This pulsation interacts with the electromagnetic fields of people.
A bath with quartzite stones will help you improve your health and strengthen your immune system.
Types of stone
Bath stone
There are three types of mineral stone, depending on the minerals it contains:
- hornblende;
- pomegranate;
- mica.
The natural mineral is mined in slabs in Karelian quarries. These are the main rock deposits. Prototypes of the mineral are mined in other deposits.
Raspberry quartzite for baths and heaters is a rare and expensive material.
The color range of bath stones - crimson quartzite - is quite diverse. In nature you can find pink, yellow, brown, and even red quartzite. Rock containing impurities may have a blue or purple color. There are also black-brown samples that resemble granite (gabro diabase) or marble in appearance. The gray mineral is very similar in appearance to soapstone.
All these bath stones and crimson quartzite are expensive and very popular materials in construction. Multi-colored quartzite is particularly decorative and is used to decorate buildings both inside and outside. The main difference between these materials is their appearance and cost.
Deposit and processing
Crimson quartzites, which can be found on the markets of the CIS countries, are called Shokshinsky. Their production takes place in one of the richest deposits - Shokshinskoye. It is located in Karelia. According to archaeologists, there are about 1.3 million m3 of gem reserves in this place for mining.
The first tools made from this gem were found in Mesopotamia. The average age of tools is 6000 years.
The process of rock formation occurs in the bowels of the earth. The rock is exposed to high temperatures and high pressure. Small particles are soldered together, thanks to which the individual pieces have an increased strength index. To process them you need to use special equipment.
Extraction and processing process:
- Automotive equipment is used to crush the slab in the quarry.
- Mining is not carried out using cutting tools, since the working parts break quickly.
- After extraction, the chopped pieces are delivered to the processing site.
- To remove sharp corners, the stones are rolled.
- Using special equipment, minerals are ground and given the required shape.
The final stage of processing is polishing.
Application
The rock mineral, like its other varieties, has found wide application in various fields of activity.
The environmentally friendly solid mineral is successfully used for:
- Construction of the foundation and arrangement of the thermal insulation layer in houses. Dense placement of the material provides good thermal insulation.
- For a bathhouse, the most valuable material is tumbled quartzite that has been polished.
- Stones of various shapes are used for arranging stoves and roofing - tumbled stone, crushed stone.
- For interior and exterior decoration.
- Quartzite is used as a filter for water purification.
- Laying the top layers of highways and roads.
- Crushed stone, facing slabs, rubble stone and bars are made from rock.
- There is no better stone for making kitchen countertops. And all thanks to its environmental friendliness, durability and high decorative qualities.
Conveniently, during processing, the mineral for the bath does not generate dust, and its water-repellent ability allows you to work with the material in any weather.
Ferrous and iron ore stones were used by our ancestors to make tools. Archaeologists have found several such objects from that time. During excavations in Mesopotamia, scientists managed to unearth an ancient stone jewelry that was 7 thousand years old.
Quartzite is widely used in jewelry making. Rose quartz is of particular value. Its price is equal to the cost of precious stones - diamonds or sapphires. You can often see products that combine gold with rose quartz. And such luxury jewelry items are not cheap - sometimes even more expensive than gold jewelry with diamonds.
How to choose a good stone
It is best to take ready-made packaged quartzite. Chip stones for baths may have defects due to the production process. Therefore, before filling it into the heater, it is necessary to carefully sort out the material, remove all specimens with cracks and veins, otherwise they may split later. When you tap a stone with a hammer, there should be a ringing sound; if it is dull, then the piece has a crack and needs to be rejected.
When using the heater for the first time, a foreign odor may appear. To prevent this from happening, the stones must be washed thoroughly before laying.
Care
Quartzite is not affected by alkalis and acids; they can be used to clean the surface of contaminants. Use citric and acetic acids and soda solutions.
If there are no stains, timely wet cleaning or vacuuming is sufficient.
Careful use of abrasives will not damage the surface of the stone, but is rarely required, as any stains can be easily washed off with a rag or sponge.
