Attractiveness of Gneiss – its Shades, the Reason for its Popularity
The name gneiss is derived from the old German word “gneist” meaning “Sparks”.
Due to its original appearance as a foliated metamorphic rock, gneiss is used not only in construction, but also for creating an original setting at home.
Cladding stones, that stand out with the beauty of the shades of the various layers of gneiss rocks, are often preferred for decorative purposes and attractive appearance to both external and internal walls and surfaces.
Not accidentally, the founder of one of the providers of samples of rocks and minerals for American schools and museums, Henry A. Ward, began collecting gneiss pebbles from the age of three, attracted by their original appearance. The famous American geologist and Professor at the University of Rochester founded the company “Ward’s Natural Science” in 1862. It was this company exactly that started collecting and suppling specimens of rock materials and minerals from all over the world to schools and museums, paying special attention to the gneiss samples.
Gneiss – Used for Ornamental Purposes even in Antiquity
It is interesting to note that some of the most beautiful, small, ancient Egyptian sculptures are made of gneiss, which glitters in the Sun with a saturated deep blue color.
Ancient Egyptians had a limited range of tools to process and polish the statues that they constructed from gneiss, granite, basalt, so in the beginning they used flint instruments, and later copper, bronze and iron.
One of the famous gneiss statues made by the ancient Egyptians and preserved until today, is the gneiss Sphinx of Sesostris III. This statue is made of gneiss rock with beautiful colors and is located in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Not surprisingly, it is considered a masterpiece of Egyptian art.
Modern Decorative Objects, Crafted from Gneiss
The solid weight of the gneiss stones and their attractive appearance can be used for the manufacture of many decorative objects for the home; those objects are not only interesting due to the original material, but also because they perform useful functions, due to the advantage of the material – its heaviness.
Gneiss stones can be used in the production of small decorative items such as bookends or paperweights.
The stones can be shaped like various animals, decorated and covered with fabric, paper or other material, so that in the end, a truly original and multifunctional object can be created.
The massive weight of this saline material is an advantage and such trays and supporting ornaments are not only useful, but also pleasing the eyes.
The decorative shapes and elements add glamour to the paper shelves.
One of a kind decorative objects made of gneiss are the paperweights, or the load that is placed on sheets of paper to not squander.
Paperweights can be made of gneiss in various forms, to serve not only for the compression of the lists, but also as fresh decorative figures.
Please, see the next video ideas for making paperweights, made of stone that could be turned into a great gift for a loved one.