MosaicBlues: November 2013 .entry-content { font-size:25px !important; }

Saturday, November 16, 2013

The stuff of Mosaic : Stones





Stones are classified base on 2 criteria : how they are made, and what composes them.



Stones were formed a long time ago according to 3 different processes

1 - Born of fire : the Igneous Stones.

These are stones that were once very hot and liquid and cooled down underground. Their grains look like small flecks typically spread consistently throughout stone. They are hard (cannot be scratched by steel) and dense.

Granite is a typical igneous stone used in mosaic. 


Blue Granite


2 - Sedimentary Stones


These stones are formed through the compacting of grains or pieces of any kind of existing rock material. These existing rocks may have been weathered, transported, deposited and then cemented over millions of years by the movement of the earth’s tectonic plates. Sedimentary stones sometimes contain fossils or other distinct features formed at the time of deposition.

Limestones and Travertines are sedimentary stones used in mosaic.


Raw travertine


Gold Travertine


3 - Metamorphic Stone – “Changed in Structure”

They were formed at extremely high pressures and temperatures but did not melt like igneous stones did. The presence of swirls, linear patterns or banding is a key characteristic of metamorphic stones

Marble, Agates, and Slate are metamorphic stones used in mosaic. 


Raw agate


4 slates.


Marble.


2 . Mineral Composition of Stones

Stones basically made of 2 different stuffs  : Silicate (Silicium Oxyde SiO2) and Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)


21 - Silicates
These stones are made mostly of quartz-like particles called silica. They are very hard, durable and generally acid resistant.

Granites, Flint and Slates are Silicates used in mosaic. 


22 - Calcium Carbonates 
The minerals in these stones were formed under pressure over millions of years from the bodies of tiny fossilized creatures. These stones are softer, less durable than silicates and acid sensitive.

Limestones, Marbles and Travertines are Calcium Carbonates used in mosaic.

   
Tesshu's Tiger - Travertine and Granite









Monday, November 11, 2013

Mon Mosaics

 
Mon (紋), also monshō (紋), mondokoro (紋所), and kamon (家紋), are Japanese emblems used to decorate and identify an individual or family. 
 
Mon Mosaic, Jikishin Kai, 12 x 12", Granite, Marble
While mon is an encompassing term that may refer to any such device, kamon and mondokoro refer more specifically to emblems used to identify a family.
 
Mon Mosaic, Shogun, 12 x 12" Marble, Travertine, Granite

On the battlefield, mon served as army standards. They were also displayed on Tents and Equipment.

Mon were also adapted by various organizations, such as merchant and artisan guilds, temples and shrines, theater troupes and even criminal gangs. In an illiterate society, they served as useful symbols for recognition.

Mon mosaic, Hakko Ryu, 12 x 12", ceramic, granite, Travertine

Above are 3 mosaics of Mon I realized. I am available to realize one of your choice to display in your home or Dojo. 
You can contact me by e-mail or on Facebook