Probably, few minerals have such a wide and varied application as this one. It also acts as a ritual stone used in the decoration of tombs - Napoleon’s sarcophagus and Lenin’s mausoleum were decorated with it. It has also become widespread in church architecture; remember, for example, the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, glorified in Y. Shevchuk’s composition “New Life”. It is used in paving stones and in the production of refractories and fluxes in metallurgy. A specific homogeneous variety of this stone called Arkansas is very revered among knife makers and patternmakers as a high-quality abrasive for fine finishing operations. How organic is it to use quartzite for a bath? Let's read it.
Selection of stones for baths and saunas
When selecting a suitable material for a heater, it is necessary to take into account the following nuances:
- Strength of the material;
- No unpleasant odor after heating;
- Low water absorption;
- Uniformity of structure;
- Heat capacity.
If the material is not selected correctly, it may crack and shoot out fragments during heating. Many minerals release toxic substances when heated. You should not use pebbles whose properties have been little studied. It is better to select medium-sized materials for electrical equipment; for wooden ones, you can combine large and medium-sized minerals.
Briefly about the main thing
Durable stones that can retain heat for a long time are suitable for a bath. They are selected according to several criteria, including high density, uniformity and strength. Also important is a low level of water absorption and the absence of foreign odors during heating. The shape and size are selected depending on the type of stove, and the total weight - on the area of the steam room. Experts recommend purchasing certified minerals, this way you will protect your wallet and health from unscrupulous sellers.
Question
Write in the comments what you think - is it worth saving money and putting broken power line insulators into the heater?
Features of the material
Raspberry quartzite is very often used for arranging baths and saunas. It is formed from small granular parts, which provide its hardness and strength. The mineral accumulates heat in the room and releases it. It is heat resistant, but it is not recommended for use in the lower layers of the structure, as it may burst. The gem does not emit harmful substances when heated and does not crack under strong heat. However, the duration of its use will depend on the intensity. If cracks are noticeable on the surface, it is necessary to remove such stones from the structure. In this regard, it is necessary to periodically sort out the heater.
Rose quartzite has the following properties:
- Fire resistance;
- Durability;
- Resistant to mechanical damage;
- Low water absorption;
- Solid, not radioactive;
- Resistant to aggressive environments;
- Retains its attractive appearance for a long time;
- Capable of maintaining optimal temperatures for a long period.
Its disadvantages include the likelihood of splitting during polishing and the appearance of cracks during sudden cooling.
Jade
Crushed and polished jadeite for baths
This semi-precious rock has an emerald or light green color and is not volcanic, but is a separate mineral.
In addition to their beautiful appearance, these stones for sauna heaters have the highest strength and service life (3 times longer than other types), low water absorption and high heat capacity. It is worth noting that jadeite stone for baths retains heat for a long time and generates very powerful steam. Jadeite is absolutely safe and environmentally friendly.
Jadeite colors range from light green to emerald green
Useful properties of jadeite:
Of its healing properties, the most important are the beneficial effects on the central nervous system, stabilization of blood pressure, cure of kidney and urinary tract diseases.
Mineral composition
The composition of the bath stone includes quartz, iron and fine oxides, sericite, chalcedony and silicon. After processing and polishing, the stone retains its characteristics. After sanding, the material looks attractive. It is often used for finishing baths, stoves and other structures. The mineral is very durable, so it is difficult to process. After polishing, it can retain its shine for three hundred years.
First mentions
Used in the video: Lemon gold, diamonds, peridot, citrine, blue chalcedony, blue topaz, milky quartz, hydrothermal emerald.
The first description of this stone and its magical properties was given by Alphonse X in his Lapidarium. The mineral is described as durable and hard, having a pebble shape. It was mined in rivers; it was believed that the crystal would cool the passion for women if you drink the elixir from it. Also, one of the properties of the talisman was that it endowed the owner with the ability to endure thirst longer. From the records of Michael Harner it is known that the mineral was carried by shamans on their travels. Thanks to its properties to restrain bodily impulses, it has become a companion to all hermits and mystics who want to focus on the spiritual and not waste their strength on bodily desires. Therefore, it is believed that the talisman is primarily used to pacify carnal desires. However, this only works with men; women wearing white quartz, on the contrary, become more active and fertile.
On topic: Places of extraction, magical and healing properties of sugar quartz
Characteristics of the stone
High-quality material for arranging a steam room must have a certain heat resistance, heat capacity, the ability to withstand temperature changes, environmental safety and healing properties. Quartzite has a heat capacity of 0.98 kJ/kg*C. This value is enough to create an acceptable microclimate in the room. Its hardness on the Mohs scale reaches seven points, but with prolonged exposure to an open flame, the stone becomes deformed. Its specific gravity is 2.6 g/cm3, and its density is 2.68 g/cm3. If the material is polished, it will acquire a glossy shine that will last for hundreds of years. In terms of beauty, the mineral can be compared to jade. It is quite difficult to process.
Magic properties
The magical influence of the stone has been known to sorcerers for centuries. They made talismans for warriors.
Today, the magical properties of quartzite are used for more practical purposes:
- it gives confidence and increases self-esteem;
- protects the small, weak, and elderly from physical violence;
- helps you make the right decisions;
- protects against dangers outside the home.
The magic will manifest itself more strongly if you wear a stone amulet or place a figurine on the table.
Useful qualities of quartzite
Stones for baths and saunas, crimson quartzite has unique healing characteristics. When heated and when interacting with water, it releases ozone. The indoor air becomes fresher and enriched with oxygen. The electromagnetic vibrations that are created on the surface of the pebble have a positive effect on the energy structure of the body and are able to correct it.
The mineral should not be overheated. With large temperature changes it may crack. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically go through the basket and remove deformed stones. They have a beneficial effect on the respiratory system; doctors recommend keeping minerals near the chest. Gems contribute to a person’s speedy recovery. Quartzite rejuvenates the body, cleanses the bronchi and lungs, saturates the blood with oxygen, and improves immunity. Many people drink quartz water. It is obtained by settling the liquid in a container with stones. It is considered biologically active and is used in the treatment of many diseases.
Application
Each shade of crimson quartzite indicates the predominance of some impurity. Strength, and therefore the area of use, in turn depends on their quantity.
The purest and most expensive stones have a uniform crimson color. Their hardness is maximum, there are no pores, and the surface is uniform. Such specimens can be repeatedly placed in the oven, included in the decoration of walls and floors, and used for the manufacture of furniture and massage accessories.
White inclusions make the mineral a little cheaper, but have little effect on its strength. In an open fire, such units will last less, but for all other purposes they will work perfectly. Often they are used to decorate a steam room, erect monuments and interior elements.
Crimson quartzite with a gray undertone is the cheapest, therefore it is more in demand for heating furnaces and water purification. But it is worth remembering that you will have to replace it earlier than the others.
Expert opinion
Lovkachev Boris Petrovich
Bath master who knows everything about steaming
All types are equally suitable for thermal insulation of baths, saunas, and lining of stove buildings.
Uses of crimson quartzite
Raspberry quartzite is perfect for a bathhouse. In addition to strength, heat and moisture resistance, it has the ability to accumulate and retain heat. This factor is important, since it is necessary to constantly maintain a comfortable temperature in the steam room. Reviews about the mineral indicate that the steam becomes light in the room. This effect is explained by the thermal conductivity of the material and density. When laying stone, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Before laying, all material should be washed and sorted to prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor;
- Weight and dimensions must be selected taking into account the design features;
- The stones should not be placed too close to each other;
- In the lower part you need to put larger minerals, and on top - smaller ones;
- It is necessary to leave a gap between the wall.
Many people choose to combine the material with other suitable jadeite stones. You should not put quartz down; it is better to place soapstone and gabbro-diabase there. The filling of the basket should be changed every five years, since the stones deteriorate over time. Raspberry quartzite must be sorted once a year. This procedure should be carried out with gloves to avoid damaging your hands.
Gabbro-diabase
Gabbro-diabase stone is similar to marble or granite
This volcanic rock is similar to marble or granite and is uniformly dark in color. It has high density, strength and low water absorption. When heated, gabbro-diabase expands evenly. In addition, these bath stones are mined in the most environmentally friendly corner of Russia - Karelia, and are inexpensive.
One of the disadvantages is that diabase takes a long time to heat up and cools down quickly. In addition, if these stones are heated strongly, they begin to emit a not strong, but specific odor.
The therapeutic effects of this breed have not been identified.
Advantages of the mineral
Crimson quartzite is used for covering walls, purifying liquids, lining furnaces, decorating monuments, and making countertops. The mineral has the following advantages:
- The gem is able to withstand temperature changes;
- Does not emit toxic fumes during heating;
- Retains heat for a long time;
- Resistant to sunlight;
- Does not ignite and does not absorb moisture;
- Dust and dirt do not accumulate on the surface.
Before placing pebbles in the steam room, you must carefully inspect the purchased specimens. If there are large cracks, unsightly shape or other damage, it is better to throw away such material.
Some people do the hammer test. Each pebble must be tapped. If the sound is loud enough, it means the material is of good quality. It is better to choose gems that have a rich color. For open structures, minerals whose size does not exceed seventeen centimeters are suitable.
Criterias of choice
The properties of stones are described using physical characteristics; their chemical composition is also known. But in practice, it is important to be able to visually, based on external parameters, determine whether such backfill is suitable or not.
Heat resistance
Good bath stones heat up quickly, have high heat capacity, and do not crack under the influence of fire. The ability to accumulate heat and gradually release heat is important, as it affects several parameters at once: the comfort of bath procedures, the service life of minerals, the amount of steam.
It’s easy to check the quality in practice: just heat the cobblestone and put it in cold water. If it remains intact, does not burst or crack, then the quality can be considered good.
Source prom.st
Stones with the required strength and heat capacity have certain features that are easily identified during external inspection. They are heavy (with a high specific gravity), with a dense, uniform surface structure. The quality of the structure is especially important: it should not be porous or have foreign or large inclusions. Heat-resistant rocks include, for example, jade or jadeite, which do not lose their properties for 8-10 years.
Size and shape
The choice of stone backfill size depends on the type of sauna stove, and here you should be guided not by design considerations, but by the following rules:
- Wood burning stove . For a capacious structure with strong heating, a medium- and large-format filler ranging in size from 8 to 16-18 cm is suitable. Filling with a smaller diameter is not recommended: it will last less and can also clog the grate holes.
- Electric oven with closed heater . An electric heater requires a filler with a diameter of 4-6 cm. It is important to choose well-polished cobblestones: a sharp edge can easily damage the heating element.
- Stove with open heater . In a sauna, where the air is heated to 100°C or higher, large and medium format backfill is used.
Source o-kamen.com
The shape of the filler may vary; It is easier to lay small flat stones, and more of them will fit. For a traditional closed oven, grinding is not as important as the ability to compactly arrange the filler inside (this will increase the heat capacity).
The amount of backfill depends on the size of the steam room. It is believed that at least 6 kg of boulders are needed per square meter of room. If the quantity is reduced, the bath will not warm up well; if the quantity is increased, the steam will be too intense.
Environmental safety: why certification is needed
Certified and packaged products have obvious advantages:
- Accounting for mineral geology . Without knowledge of geology, you can bring inappropriate stones that cannot withstand temperature changes. When split, they can shoot out fragments, which can result in injury or damage to equipment (if it is an electric furnace).
- Accounting for properties . There are many minerals that, when heated, release ions of various elements and saturate the air with them. Not all of them are useful, many have a bad effect on health.
Source gadgetok.ru
- Purity . You can be sure that the certified backfill is of “pure” origin; it is brought from the quarry, and not collected on embankments near railway tracks, at a construction site or on dumps.
- Absence of increased background radiation . The stone undergoes radiation control.
- You are protected from counterfeiting . You can easily buy an ordinary coil for the price of jade.
Aesthetics
In addition to the performance characteristics that provide comfort, the aesthetics of minerals is also important for many. A combination of several stones, for example, white and pink quartzite for a bath, whose properties are the same, is in harmony with any steam room interior. Both torn stone and processed (polished or tumbled) look good.
Source prom.st
