Many factors affect the colors of the three main types of rocks.

What Types of Rocks Make What Colors?

Earth is a rocky planet, and those rocks appear to have an endless array of colors. The colors are formed because of the minerals that make up the rock. The three main types of rocks are igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. These rocks are mined for gardens, pavers and gravel. Landscape rocks in Las Vegas form a beautiful part of any garden, including rock gardens, desert landscapes and water features.

Different Types of Rocks

• Igneous rocks are formed from molten rock that has hardened. It’s the strongest rock and includes granite, obsidian and basalt.
• Metamorphic rocks are formed deep in the crust of the earth and are molded because of intense pressure. They sometimes have shiny crystals. They include marble and gneiss.
• Sedimentary rocks are formed when sediment hardens. It may be pebbles, sand, shells and organic material that accumulate in layers, but after millennia it hardens into stone. This is where fossils are found. It includes limestone and conglomerate.

Where Do the Colors Come From?

The mineral composition and the oxidizing conditions make up the color of the rock. When found on the bottom of a lake or ocean, there is less oxidation possible and the rocks tend to be black or gray. Rocks in shallow water may turn greenish or brown. Rocks on land get plenty of oxidation and tend to be reddish or tan. White rocks may be formed in sand dunes and beaches and sometimes in shallow water. Volcanic rock tends to be black because the iron cannot oxidize at such high temperatures. The reddest rocks are on the land where the iron is easily oxidized.

Rocks for Landscaping

All types of rocks are suitable for landscaping. They can be used to build low walls, to make pathways as paving stones or around water features. Granite is one of the most popular because it comes in such a wide variety of colors and patterns from deep green to pale pink.