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.
Character traits
Crimson quartzite has been mined since the 18th century. It has the only deposit on the planet. The mining mines are located in Karelia on the western shore of Lake Onega in the village of Shoksha. One of the names of the stone originates from the name of the village.
The crimson color of the mineral is extremely rare. After its discovery, the wealthiest individuals sought to decorate interiors and buildings with it. Such quartzite can be found, among other things, in the Kazan, St. Isaac's Cathedrals, the Winter Palace and the Moscow Kremlin.
The use for baths began after a more thorough study of the properties of the stone. Its hardness was found to be very great. This is explained by a structure consisting of numerous microscopic particles tightly fused with each other.
Expert opinion
Lovkachev Boris Petrovich
Bath master who knows everything about steaming
Crimson quartzite... is very durable and several times harder than granite.
If we talk about numbers, the characteristics are as follows:
- density – 2.68 g/cc;
- heat capacity – 0.98 kJ/kg*C;
- hardness (Moss scale) – 7;
- the maximum permissible heating temperature is 1600C.
With decent performance, crimson quartzite contains a large amount of quartz, silicon, sericite, iron, chalcedony, glitters beautifully and shimmers with pink, gray, red and white shades.
The mineral has:
- long life without destruction;
- hardening by temperature changes;
- resistance to chemicals, acids, alkalis, heat, physical influences, ultraviolet radiation, wind;
- antiseptic effect on the environment;
- absence of harmful emissions and fumes;
- uniform heat distribution and slow heat release;
- repels moisture and dust.
This is one of the few stones that do not accumulate radiation and can easily withstand open fire.
Raspberry quartzite has low thermal conductivity, due to which it is able to maintain high temperatures for a long time.
Popular types of natural quartz stones for sauna
Today, the most common natural quartzite is available in two shades. Minerals are great for a variety of purposes, but are most often used to create a gentle, healing steam. .
Quartzites of white and pink shades can most often be found in heater stoves
White quartz
Light quartzite is best suited for a bathhouse. Among its advantages we can highlight the excellent:
- Strength.
- Heat resistance.
- Heat capacity.
The main distinguishing feature of the quartzite rock is its ability to release oxygen. Thanks to this, the blood is saturated with O2 and brain function is stimulated, and a person’s well-being improves.
When heated, the crystals release ozone, which rejuvenates and cleanses the skin, making it rested and healthy.
Health effects
Despite the fact that there is still no scientific evidence for the healing effects of the stone, numerous experiences of bathhouse lovers confirm their presence.
Procedures in a steam room with crimson quartzite:
- relieve spasms;
- improve the mobility of muscles and joints;
- relieve pain;
- reduce the number of relapses of hypertension;
- remove harmful substances from the body;
- relieve swelling;
- improve blood flow;
- increase potency;
- normalize sleep;
- strengthen the immune system;
- help remove mucus from the respiratory tract.
All of the above applies to most minerals used in baths. But there is also a unique property. It is crimson quartzite that often contributes to the disappearance of symptoms of weather dependence.
Soapstone chlorite
When heated, soapstone emits soft, comfortable warmth
This rock has a denser and more durable structure than diabase. Externally, soapstone bath stones are discreet, but interesting and have a variety of shades of gray.
The rock has good heat capacity and resistance to chemically aggressive environments.
The most important advantage of the stone is that it heats up extremely quickly. It accumulates 2.5 times more heat than a stove brick and releases it evenly and for a long time. This means that soapstone generates “light” steam.
Useful properties of soapstone:
Among the beneficial properties of the rock, it can be noted that when heated, it emits soft and comfortable heat, in the infrared spectrum, similar to the sun. It increases our immunity and normalizes metabolism.
When choosing which stones are suitable for a bathhouse, keep in mind that soapstone may generate dust. You will get rid of this drawback if you rinse and heat the stones before the first bath procedure.
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.
White quartz for baths
It is logical that quartzite and quartz are related, but what is their relationship? Their composition is similar, but their origin is different. Quartz is a mineral of igneous origin that has not undergone subsequent transformation. By the way, almost all popular bath stones contain silica (SiO2) (only soapstone does not contain it: almost half of it consists of talc, about the same amount of magnesite, and the rest is chlorite).
Bath stones: white quartz
Quartz is extremely diverse in impurities, which makes it in some cases a precious stone, and in others not even semi-precious). We are only interested in one of its varieties - white quartz bath stones . They are also poetically called “hot ice.”
Why quality may suffer
Crimson quartzite has many conflicting reviews. It happens that buyers remain disappointed with the quality, contrary to high expectations.
Why does this happen?
- The first reason is that, like any stone, quartzite can be counterfeited by money-lovers. Synthetic analogues will not be able to withstand heat, temperature changes, or shock. They will quickly lose their shine, then crack and become significantly deformed.
- The second reason is unscrupulous defective stones. An examination will certainly confirm their naturalness, but the processing will be obviously incorrect. Poor heat transfer, rapid formation of cracks, chips, destruction after several kindlings - all these are signs of a violation of the process of preparation for operation and selection of goods.
The ideal procedure goes like this:
- Extracting rock from a quarry using special auto-mechanical equipment without cutting elements.
- Transportation to the processing workshop.
- Rolling to smooth out sharp edges and give uniform shapes.
- Sanding and polishing for a nice texture.
At the finish line, all material is sorted and packaged exclusively in complete, homogeneous units. It is almost impossible to damage them during further transportation.
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.
How to choose
It is impossible to completely exclude the purchase of low-quality crimson quartzite. However, it is possible to reduce the likelihood. You will need to be vigilant when purchasing.
What to pay attention to:
- availability of a manufacturer’s certificate with clear seals and clear wording;
- absence of external chips, cobwebs and single cracks, smooth edges;
- natural natural color without spots, synthetic brightness and faded pallor;
- a ringing sound when stones are tapped against each other or with a metal object.
Certified sellers often have special thermal chambers to demonstrate quality. They first heat the mineral to a high temperature, then immediately cool it. This testing reveals external and internal cracks almost instantly.
It is better to select quartzite piece by piece from the placer. In packaging, the risk of encountering defects is much higher.
Lifehacks from specialists
Bath attendants with extensive experience recommend taking into account the following operating nuances:
- Stones between 7 and 17 cm in size are best suited for an open fire.
- It is necessary to leave a small gap from the walls to the minerals in the furnace; it is advisable to place a stainless steel sheet on the bottom.
Elongated specimens are placed on the end, rather than placed vertically.- Large stones are laid down, smaller ones on top.
- It is important to pay attention to the recommended filling level of the oven as a percentage; the figure can be found in the device instructions.
- Before first use, quartzite should be washed in soapy or salt water, then in clean water, this will remove excess odors and dust.
- The stones in the stove must be replaced completely or partially every 5-6 years.
- In finishing, minerals should be wiped every 3-4 months using a mild detergent without alkali, acids or other substances that reduce shine.
- In electric ovens, stones of 6-8 cm produce better steam;
You also need to remember that when placing the stones in the oven, the stones must be dry; water is added after gradual heating.
The size of the rock is directly proportional to the volume of the heater; the smaller it is, the smaller the diameter of the stones should be. The ideal size for a bathhouse is boulders 5-20...
Video description
Here is an interesting video on how to wash bath stones:
In order for the steam room to function properly, it is necessary to correctly calculate the mass of stones. It is believed that there should be 5-6 kg of rock per square meter. Then the desired effect and maximum durability of the heater will be achieved.
Different types of stone differ in their service life
For stoves with a closed heater, a type that is more resistant to high temperatures is needed. In open stoves, the heating is less intense, so deciding which stones are better for the heater in the bathhouse is much easier.
FAQ
How long does crimson quartzite retain heat?
Depends on the amount of stone and the area of the steam room. On average, several hours: from 2 or more.
What size quartzite is needed for a wood stove?
Large stones of 10-15 cm of oblong shape are suitable.
What kind of massage can be done with quartzite?
Quartzite is best suited for targeted application on pain points and their projection. This heating relieves inflammation and spasms. Massage in motion with this mineral can be difficult due to its characteristic shape. Very round specimens are rare.
I heard that there is a lot of radiation in crimson quartzite.
It is a myth. Quartzite does not emit radiation into the air and does not accumulate it. The level of natural radioactive particles is not high and is not toxic to humans.
Is it possible to combine crimson quartzite with other stones?
Can. Excellent soft steam is provided by combinations with jade and jade. Quartzite is cheaper than jade and stronger than jadeite, so it is often used as a substrate.
Crimson quartzite has gained a worthy reputation in the bath environment. Its performance qualities and service life fully correspond to the cost. It is important to choose the right product so that it brings only positive emotions.
