diorite (redirected from Dorite)

diorite

Medium- to coarse-grained igneous rock that commonly is composed of about two-thirds plagioclase feldspar and one-third dark-coloured minerals, such as hornblende or biotite. Diorite has about the same structural properties as granite but, perhaps because of its darker colour and more limited supply, is rarely used as an ornamental building material. It is one of the dark gray stones that is sold commercially as “black granite.”

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diorite [′dī·ə‚rīt]

(petrology)

A phaneritic plutonic rock with granular texture composed largely of plagioclase feldspar with smaller amounts of dark-colored minerals; used occasionally as ornamental and building stone. Also known as black granite.