Dunite: properties and composition of rock, deposits and areas of application

Useful properties of dunit stone for baths

In general, dunite is one of the best environmentally friendly rocks.
If you go on a school excursion, it is believed that dunite is the main component of the Earth’s mantle at a depth of no more than 500 meters. Dunite pebbles are greenish in color (by the way, they can also be black). not transparent, non-toxic. Since my husband is an ardent steamer, he was more interested in heat capacity and thermal conductivity. The heat capacity, unfortunately, is not the highest and the stones will cool quickly (although not as quickly as practice has shown), but the price was the most suitable for us. There are 20 kilograms in a box, they cost 250 rubles. We took 60 kg. Some people make layers of different stones on the stove. To begin with, we decided to make do with one dunite.

The size of each stone is approximately 10-15 cm. The “shelf life” of the stones on the stove is about 6 years, then the stones need to be replaced. Well, that’s the best. dunite has medicinal properties, namely it normalizes the cardiovascular system, nervous system, lowers blood pressure, promotes the treatment of eyes, hearing organs, arthrosis, and back diseases.

When the bathhouse was heated, an unusual aroma came from the stones. nice. bath And it didn’t cool down very quickly, we all managed to wash and steam, and after all there were 9 of us (parents arrived). In general, a good budget option for starting a bathing activity. I recommend it, but there are better stones. Well, and more expensive accordingly.

The right stones for a bath take an active part in the formation of steam, which people inhale deeply. At the same time, they enrich it with microelements of their composition. For the steam room they use a special useful stone - dunite.

Dunite is called peridotite, and in Finland - olivine

Almost 80% of Ural dunites consist of a mineral called chrysolite. It is he who, interacting with the steam, gives it healing power. Firstly, chrysolite disinfects the air, including killing microbes located on the skin or in the human body.

Secondly, dunite helps to normalize the functioning of all organs. After such a bath, the heart works like a clock, and blood pressure returns to normal levels.

Thirdly, the microelements contained in dunite have a beneficial effect on vision.

Those who regularly visit a steam room with dunites note that over time they begin to see much better.

How to wear and care

Porphyry is difficult to break, scratch, or damage in any way.

Therefore, you can minimally care for the stone:

  • A common box is suitable for storage.
  • Dirt can be removed with soap and water or any other means.

Thanks to its porous structure, porphyry is self-cleaning. Any stains on its surface will dissolve on their own over time.

You can wear porphyry jewelry in sets. They are appropriate for a walk, a party, or friendly gatherings. The stone is suitable for people of any age.

History and origin

Being a deep-seated igneous rock, dunite is formed at the initial stages of lava differentiation, when olivine and, in some cases, chromite crystallize from the melt. Settling at the bottom of the magma chamber, the mineral forms an almost monomineral rock.

mineral
Mineral - Dunite

The main component of dunite is olivine - it consists of 85-90% of it, which determines the color of the stone, which varies from dark gray to almost black and from yellowish-green to dark green.

Under the influence of weathering, olivine, which is part of this rock, is transformed into serpentine and partially into magnetite. Dunite can rarely be found in an unaltered form: as a rule, it is largely serpentinized or even completely transformed into a serpentine. Chromium and magnetic iron ores are also often found in dunite.

Typically, dunite is found in the lower layered horizon of the main intrusions.

Physical and mechanical characteristics

The dominant component of the rock is potassium feldspar. The main varieties are quartz and quartz-free porphyry. The color and exact formula are determined by the mineral impurities in the stone.

The main physical and mechanical properties of porphyry are wear resistance, resistance to aggressive environments, and temperature changes. Stone products retain their original condition for centuries in any climate.

Porphyry is an excellent thermal insulator, invaluable for cold regions.

Mineral mining

Being an ultramafic igneous rock, dunite is commonly found in the Ural and Caucasus mountains, as well as in the Baikal region, but its extraction is fraught with certain difficulties. The Kytlym dunite deposit, located in the north of the Middle Urals, is widely known.

Dunite is widely used in the construction of baths and saunas for filling stoves and heaters:

  • low coefficient of linear expansion protects stones from cracking during repeated heating and cooling, as well as when exposed to hot water;
  • Thanks to its granular structure, the stone has a unique heat capacity and, at the same time, increased thermal conductivity, which allows you to quickly heat the heater to the desired temperature and retain heat for a long time.

Dunite is also used:

  • as a refractory material in metallurgical furnaces due to its refractory properties (magnetite variety is used);
  • as a building material for fire-resistant structures;
  • for the manufacture of thermal insulation liners in steelmaking;
  • in the production of heat-resistant ceramics (the ilmenite variety is used);
  • for the production of high-quality cladding materials for bathrooms, swimming pools, etc.;
  • for covering floors - such floors do not slip and maintain a comfortable temperature in any weather;
  • as an ornamental stone;
  • when creating cement mixtures to increase the impact resistance of cement stone and concrete;
  • in agriculture to increase fertility; is the best source of microelements when growing potatoes (magnetite variety is used).

Application

Crushed stone of large fraction from porphyrite

Construction material of both civil and industrial importance, acid-resistant material, material for ornamentation. Due to its hardness, stone is used for paving sidewalk paths, cladding facades and plinths of buildings.

The stone is a good option for filling heaters (stoves) of saunas and baths. Practice has shown that the rock is capable of repeatedly withstanding temperature changes over a wide range, and does not crack or break.

Physicochemical characteristics

Dunite is characterized by a holocrystalline fine- or medium-grained structure, as well as a massive rock texture and high density. It is a mixture of olivine (up to 90%) with pyroxenes, amphibole and chromite. This rock is also extremely rich in magnesium and contains very small amounts of silica.

PropertyDescription
Density3.28 g/cm³
Specific gravity3
TextureMassive
StructureMedium or fine grain
ShineAbsent
MixingPyroxene, amphibole, olivine and biotite
TransparencyOpaque
Color in daylightLight green to black

Average chemical composition:

  • SiO2 35-40%,
  • MgO 38-50%,
  • FeO 3-6%,
  • Al2O3 up to 2.5%,
  • CaO up to 1.5%,
  • Fe2O3 0.5-7%,
  • Na2O up to 0.3%,
  • K2O up to 0.25%,
  • TiO2 up to 0.02%.

What is porphyry

The porphyry mineral is an opaque rock of volcanic origin.

Quartz-free porphyry, brown color associated with iron
Quartz-free porphyry, brown color associated with iron

The color range is rich: red, yellow, green, brown, gray, ink colors in many shades or combinations thereof.

Quartz-free porphyry with biotite and pyroxene
Quartz-free porphyry with biotite and pyroxene

It is similar to granite (in some varieties it looks indistinguishable). However, porphyry is easy to distinguish: it is stronger, lighter, and never crumbles.

Porphyry, close in composition to rhyolite, was mined in the vicinity of Krakow
Porphyry, close in composition to rhyolite, was mined in the vicinity of Krakow

Indications and contraindications

Magnesium and chromium are present in large quantities in dunite.

Visiting a bathhouse with dunite is recommended for:

  • restoration of heart function;
  • preventing surges in blood pressure;
  • improved vision;
  • eliminate skin problems;
  • enhancing libido in men;
  • prevention and treatment of colds.

There are no contraindications for dunite. Visits to the steam room with these stones will only have to be limited to people with individual intolerance to the components of the stone.

Dunite is an excellent choice of stone for a steam room. It not only gives good steam and makes the air clean, but also treats many diseases. At the same time, it is affordable, durable and environmentally friendly.

Porphyrite composition

In terms of its texture, porphyrite is a fairly durable and hard material. If we talk about the composition of the stone, it should be noted that its internal layers may include such elements as:

  • plagioclases;
  • aluminosilicates;
  • chlorites;
  • biotites and others.

The chemical composition of the stone is also not uniform. The composition of the mineral rock includes such components and compounds as:

  • silica (its volume is half of the total composition);
  • aluminum oxide (about 20% of the total volume);
  • iron oxide (about 10%);
  • calcium oxide (about 10%).

The melting point of porphyrite is quite high and cannot be achieved under natural conditions. This figure is about 1,200 degrees Celsius.

Having such a rich chemical composition, porphyrite is endowed with a large number of positive characteristics that are highly valued when using the mineral.

Porphyrite bath stone - reviews from steamers, properties of the stone, disadvantages

Among these properties are:

  • saturation of the atmosphere with substances favorable to the human body;
  • normalization of blood pressure;
  • restoration of the functionality of the circulatory system (in particular, blood vessels);
  • prevention of kidney diseases, as well as diseases associated with the genitourinary system;
  • treatment of headaches;
  • facilitating the breathing process;
  • creating the effect of relaxation and relaxation for the body.

How to place dunit in the oven

After purchase, any stone must be washed and carefully inspected. Check the external condition. If there are cracks, stones cannot be used.

Before placing it in the oven, the dunite must be calcined. The stone may contain inclusions, specks and veins of metallic luster.

If there are few of them, then after several calcinations they will not cause harm.

When there is a lot of metallic shine, throw away the stone.

Dunite can be laid in the oven as the first layer. It withstands open fire well.

Another issue is that the appearance of the stone is rather inconspicuous. For a closed stone backfill - an ideal option.

In an open heater, dunite can be mixed with more beautiful stones.

I cannot say that dunit is not suitable for a sauna stove. The stone has many undeniable advantages, this is obvious.

In our Northern regions, this stone is not at all number one in sauna stoves. But in the Urals, I think he is the leader in furnace heating.

There is a saying: “If you don’t try it yourself, you won’t know.” Personal experience is better than a million reviews on the Internet. We will try to place the dunit in the oven, splash water on it and feel the stone heat! Best wishes!

Care of the heater

Minerals in the bath are also inspected if steam formation, heat transfer deteriorate, or an unpleasant odor appears. If the steam room is used in business, then the stove filler is cleaned monthly.

Instructions for cleaning minerals from the bath:

  1. The cooled stones are lowered into a container with warm water. Do not add household or chemical products: they then evaporate and pollute the air.
  2. The backfill is left in the water for 90 minutes (the stones should become slippery).
  3. The stone is cleaned with a stiff brush on all sides.
  4. After cleaning, the backfill must be washed in clean water.
  5. Dry in a ventilated place.
  6. In good lighting, inspect each stone. Instances with signs of cracks are discarded.
  7. Lightly tap each sample in the center with a hammer. A mineral with a ringing sound is suitable for further use.
  8. Damaged samples are replaced, restoring the primary volume of the filler.

Stains from beer, honey or oils may not be washed off. When refilling, these samples are placed clean side up or covered with new filler.

It is better to create a pleasant smell in baths with a solution of hot water and aromatic substances. The liquid is poured into an iron ladle and placed on top of the stones.

Periodically you need to wash the stones and inspect them for cracks. Such samples should be replaced with new ones. Pay attention to the heater itself; the cracks that have formed on its walls need to be covered with a clay solution.

Igneous rocks

Dunite belongs to the igneous rocks.

There are three classes of rock division: plutonic, volcanic and hypabyssal.

Plutonic and volcanic rocks are used in the stone backfill of the sauna stove.

These rocks are formed at great depths, therefore, they can withstand high temperatures and temperature changes.

But the division and classification of breeds does not end there. Plutonic and volcanic rocks are divided into four groups based on their silica content.

These are: ultrabasic, basic, medium and acidic. Ultrabasic rocks contain from 30 to 45%, basic rocks from 45 to 53% silica.

Olivinites-dunites belong to ultrabasic plutonic rocks.

Consequently, dunites contain a minimal amount of silica, which is good for a sauna stove. Less unnecessary waste.

Place of Birth

Porphyrite is a mineral that is formed naturally. If we talk about the nature and method of its origin, then it is formed only in one case - during microlithic processes, which are characteristic of the basic formula of lava. Moreover, the lava should be located near the surface. Porphyrite belongs to the category of secondary metamorphosed rocks. Perlite has been replaced from the composition of this mineral due to the processes of epidotization and chloritization.

Deposits of this stone are widespread throughout the world. Thus, the largest mineral developments can be found in a variety of countries and regions. This:

  • Caucasus;
  • Siberia (eastern regions);
  • Altai;
  • Far East;
  • Kazakhstan;
  • Ukraine;
  • Bashkortostan.

Stones found in different deposits can vary significantly in their properties. This should be taken into account when using porphyrite.

They are formed during the crystallization of volcanic lava of basic composition, near the surface. Porphyrites are a secondary altered rock in which volcanic glass is replaced by secondary minerals (mainly after chloritization and epidotization), i.e. belong to paleotypic volcanic rocks. Forms of occurrence: flows, domes, dikes, stocks and sills. Separate forms: flagstone, columnar.

Porphyrites are found in the Urals (Timofeevsky, Argayashsky), the Caucasus, Transcaucasia, Ukraine, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Altai, Eastern Siberia and the Far East.

In the Chelyabinsk region, not far from the village of Novogorny, there is the Argayash porphyrite quarry, where more than a million tons of rock are mined per year. On the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan, in the Beloretsk region, the Abzakovsky quarry of pyroxene-plagioclase porphyrites has been developed since 2011.

In addition to Egypt, where porphyry is still mined, its deposits are concentrated in Italy and Russia.

Russian deposits have been developed in Altai for more than two hundred years.

A superficial paleotype (altered) volcanic rock formed by the crystallization of felsic magma at or near the surface. Forms of occurrence: flows, covers.

Porphyries are found in the Urals, the Caucasus, the Crimea, Altai and Kazakhstan, Hungary, the USA, and Italy. In the Kurgan region, the famous Pershinskoye deposit of quartz porphyrites is being developed, and in the Primorsky Territory, Pervorechenskoye.

They are formed during the crystallization of volcanic lava of basic composition, near the surface. Porphyrites are a secondary altered rock in which volcanic glass is replaced by secondary minerals (mainly after chloritization and epidotization), i.e. belong to paleotypic volcanic rocks. Forms of occurrence: flows, domes, dikes, stocks and sills. Separate forms: flagstone, columnar.

In the Chelyabinsk region, not far from the village of Novogorny, there is the Argayash porphyrite quarry, where more than a million tons of rock are mined per year. On the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan, in the Beloretsk region, the Abzakovsky quarry of pyroxene-plagioclase porphyrites has been developed since 2011.

What is known about dunite

We continue to draw conclusions from the above: the group of ultramafic rocks (dunites) have a low concentration of harmful elements. They are chemically safe.

Dunites may contain sulfur impurities, which are visible to the naked eye. These are shiny gray, silvery “metallic” inclusions. If there are a lot of inclusions on the stone, then the stone is not suitable for the stove.

The minerals that make up dunite increase the beneficial properties of the stone when used in the stone backfill of a furnace. This is typical for all rocks that are part of the ultrabasic groups.

  • Dunite is a refractory stone, its melting point is above 1200 °C.
  • Dunite has a low coefficient of linear thermal expansion. The stone does not crack after repeated heating and cooling cycles.
  • The stone has high thermal conductivity, therefore it heats up quickly.
  • Dunite is resistant to destruction, as it has high mechanical strength.

Agree, the theory tells us that dunite is just a super stone. But in practice it is used as a raw material for molds in which metal is cast.

Surely there must be molds for the molten metal? It turns out they are made of dunite...

The stone crystallizes below the level of the earth's crust, so it cannot contain toxic and radioactive impurities.

Bath attendants' advice

Bath stoves are allowed to be filled with several varieties. Minerals with the lowest heat capacity are placed at the bottom, then with the average value, and at the top - with the highest value.

Bath attendants advise:

  • replace the mineral filler every 3–4 years (porcelain, cast iron and stainless steel products last for decades);
  • soapstone is often washed from dust, calcined and washed again with water, dried;
  • When selecting mineral backfill, you need to buy/collect samples with the least porosity and high specific gravity.

It is better to buy bath filling in stores. The product is tested for safety and treated against fungi and infections. They have a large assortment of minerals of different fractions. They also sell mixes: 2–5 types of stones in one package.

Oven typeIdeallyRecommended for backfillingSuitable for use in baths/saunas
Boulders in contact with fire (Kuznetsov designs or periodic action)Jade, cast iron, chromitePorcelain balls, quartzVarieties of dunite, soapstone, rodingite, porphyrite
Open heaters (minerals are doused with water)Rodingite, quartz, jadeJasper, jadeite, dunitesChromite, gabbrodolerite, porphyrite, soapstone
Closed heaters, open bottom stovesPorcelain, quartzite, cast iron grades SCh20, ChH16Jasper, quartz, rodingiteDunites, jadeite, porphyrite, varieties of diabase, nephrite
Sauna stove (minerals are in contact with air: the top is open, the stones are held in place by a mesh around the structure)Jasper, jadeBalls made of ceramics or porcelain, quartz, jadeiteGabbrodolerite, rodingite, quartzite, dunites, chromite

Natural minerals that do not contain harmful impurities are suitable for a Russian bath or Finnish sauna. There are many types of backfills and a wide price range. The cheapest of all is natural river boulder or sea pebbles. They cost from 10 rubles/1 kg.

What backfills are used in your bathhouse? Comment on the article, share your experience and interesting filling options. Send information to friends on social networks. Best wishes.

Medicinal properties

The beneficial properties of dunite for use in a bath are based on the presence of olivine in it (of which dunite contains much more than in another widely used bath stone - dolerite), which has pronounced medicinal properties.

Bath procedures with dunite:

  • normalize cardiac activity;
  • reduce blood pressure;
  • increase immunity;
  • strengthen the nervous system;
  • help with colds;
  • used for eye diseases;
  • used for diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
  • disinfect problem skin;
  • increase libido in men.

Specialists from the Institute of Mineralogy of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences gave the highest rating to dunite as a stone for use in baths and saunas.

Dunite is a natural air purifier that has a unique property: when heated in a bathhouse, this stone reacts with carbon dioxide and, thus, purifies the atmosphere in the room, eliminating the appearance of foreign odors.

What does dunit look like?

Dunit does not shine with unprecedented beauty. It has no special features in its color scheme.

If you are not a geologist or an expert on stones, then it will be quite difficult to distinguish dunite among the general rock mass. For me, it's stone and stone. I didn't find anything special in it.

The color palette is large: from green to black. Color from light to dark tones. Transparent dunite does not occur in nature.

The stone has a medium-grained massive structure. In rare cases it may be coarse-grained.

Interesting things about the stone

  1. The best variety of dunite for use in a bathhouse is Ural. The stone should be placed on the bottom of the oven under layers of other stones used for therapeutic purposes. This increases the overall healing effect, since dunite heats up quickly and retains heat for a long time. Use with white quartz and Himalayan salt promotes air ionization and creates a cozy microclimate in a home bath.
  2. The thermal stability of dunite is due to the low content of volatile substances in the composition. When heated, the stone can only lose 1.5% of its mass, so it does not crack.
  3. Dunite can be ground quite easily into sand. In this case, olivine grains take on the role of grains of sand.
  4. In past times, mineralogists believed that dunite could contain diamonds and platinum. There is unconfirmed evidence that such isolated finds have taken place, but over the past decades, despite intensive searches, such a breed has not been found.
  5. A separate advantage of the stone is its beautiful and unusual texture. Dunite has a huge number of shades and contains a variety of decorative inclusions, which naturally finds application in design.

Requirements for bath stones

Choosing stones for your steam room is both simple and complex. The material must meet certain requirements:

  1. Ability to accumulate heat. The mineral chosen for the bath should heat up fairly quickly, and at the same time give off heat for a long time. Dense stones with a uniform structure and high specific gravity have such abilities.
  2. High temperature resistance. This is the most important quality, since with large temperature changes the stones may begin to split or crack. You can check them by knocking a stone against a stone or hitting it with a hammer. A more serious test can be carried out in a steam room by first heating the mineral red-hot and then throwing it into cold water. High-quality stones will withstand all this.
  3. Correct format. The choice of stones directly depends on the type of stove. For wood-burning stoves, the best choice would be large minerals with a diameter of 70–120 mm. Electric ovens are compact in size, so small stones measuring 50–60 mm in size are suitable for them. Minerals that are correctly chosen in format will serve for a long time and delight owners with their aesthetic appearance.

When choosing material for your heater, you need to make sure that the stones are:

  • approximately the same in shape and size, so that the circulation and heating of steam and air is uniform;
  • without cracks - this will be indicated by a clear sound when hitting the stone with a hammer;
  • homogeneous in structure - minerals with inclusions will heat up unevenly and will collapse over time;
  • environmentally friendly.

Some experienced bath attendants prefer crushed minerals, explaining that they are more effective because they have a larger area of ​​reflective heat. This is true. But at the same time, smooth stones last much longer without damage.

Most sauna owners use natural stones found in nature for their heaters. They get their size and shape under the influence of wind, sun and water.

Pebbles are used mainly to fill the lower layers in the heater. Expensive and beautiful minerals are laid out on top of it.

We suggest you read: How to choose a master flush for a chimney

Pebbles can be used as an independent option if you work hard and choose beautiful flattened pebbles. If you use egg-shaped or round pebbles, the masonry will be loose.

Goosebumps with streaks or spots of red color should be excluded. They mean the release of iron. Heating such pebbles in a bathhouse may not improve your health, but may harm it.

Jadeite is one of the most durable minerals. It belongs to the semi-precious minerals and has a beautiful appearance. It is quite expensive due not only to its appearance, but also to its unique properties, which include:

  • low water absorption;
  • high heat capacity;
  • unique healing properties.

It has long been known that when heated, jadeite has a beneficial effect on the nervous, genitourinary, endocrine and circulatory systems. It restores the human energy field and helps with joint pain.

When using jadeite in a heater, it should be taken into account that the mineral is a source of saturation of water with metasilicic acid and is capable of ionizing the air.

Jadeite is an environmentally friendly stone. You can buy it either polished or chipped. Crushed minerals can be placed on the bottom of the heater. They will be steam generators. Polished jadeites neatly laid out in the top layer will add respectability to the steam room with their appearance.

Porphyrite, mined in the south of Karelia, is a solidified volcanic lava consisting of minerals. Its main components are calcium, silicon and magnesium. There are no harmful compounds in it, therefore porphyrite is recommended by sanitary and epidemiological supervision for use in saunas and baths of any type. However, for some reason, bath lovers ignore this mineral.

Porphyrite has good heat capacity and is able to maintain heat in a steam room for a long time. It occupies the highest place in the ranking of bath stones.

When heated for the first time, the mineral makes a cracking sound, but you should not be alarmed. During the next heating, the sounds will disappear. Porphyrite can be gray-black, dark red and green.

The healing properties of the mineral were recognized even by doctors. The effects of porphyrite can:

  • have a beneficial effect on the skin;
  • cure colds;
  • relieve diseases of the respiratory tract and kidneys;
  • relieve headaches;
  • normalize blood pressure.

Bath stones

The aesthetic appearance, environmental friendliness and durability of the mineral have made it popular in the presidential baths of Kazakhstan and Finland.

A highly thermally conductive and dense mineral, it heats up quickly and remains hot for a very long time. Soapstone has great strength, but at the same time, due to soft minerals, it is quite light.

Soapchlorite meets all the requirements for its use in a bath:

  1. The mineral is environmentally friendly. It does not emit any harmful impurities even with strong heating.
  2. The gray-green or light gray color and beautiful texture allow the stone to be used not only for the heater, but also for lining the stove. It is even used to decorate bath walls.
  3. When heated, soapstone releases special enzymes that normalize metabolic processes in the body and help lower blood pressure.

The vapors formed when using the mineral have a wonderful aroma and lightness. You can buy soapstone either crushed or polished.

A mineral with a special crystal lattice structure has unique properties. It has high strength, hardness, excellent frost and moisture resistance. Gabbro-diabase is distinguished by its black color with small inclusions.

The high heat capacity and density of the mineral allows it to absorb heat as much as possible, distributing it evenly over the entire surface. This property is ideal for using it in a steam room.

In the heater you can use chopped diabase elements with a ribbed surface. If they are frequently doused with cold water, they will not be subject to cracking, and will do an excellent job of increasing the heat capacity in the room. Since gabbro-diabase has an excellent appearance, it is often used to decorate the environment in a bathhouse and sauna.

The environmentally friendly mineral gabbro-diabase has numerous beneficial properties:

  • stabilizes the state of the nervous system;
  • has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the body;
  • normalizes the functioning of the genitourinary system, liver and kidneys.

Using stone balls is very useful for foot massage.

The disadvantages of the mineral include its rapid cooling and the release of an unpleasant odor when overheated. Gabbro-diabase must be constantly cleaned, since when using essential oils it becomes covered with soot. In this regard, the mineral is most often used for the lower layers of masonry in a heater.

This valuable purple mineral can decorate any interior of a bathhouse or sauna with its appearance. Its main characteristics include:

  • low water absorption;
  • high strength;
  • hardness;
  • high resistance to cracking;
  • long service life.

Quartzite does not lose its shape and does not emit harmful substances. The healing properties of the mineral are highly valued. Its use in a steam room will help:

  1. Get rid of pain in muscles and joints.
  2. Relieve respiratory diseases.
  3. Cure a cold.
  4. Get rid of attacks of rheumatism.
  5. Improve blood circulation and composition.
  6. Rid the body of salt deposits.
  7. Regulate blood pressure.
  8. Strengthen the general condition of the body.

Since crimson quartzite is difficult to extract, it is sold only crushed. Its high decorative qualities and beautiful color allow the mineral to be used not only for filling the heater. Many people willingly use it to decorate bathhouses and saunas.

The mineral has a fine or medium-grained structure. Its composition includes olivine, biotite, pyroxene, and amphibole. The stone has a rough and porous texture and comes in a variety of colors. They can be light, slightly greenish or even almost black.

Dunit can withstand temperatures up to 1700 degrees, so it is ideal for use in a steam room. When heated, it practically does not expand, and with constant temperature changes it does not crack. Due to its excellent thermal conductivity, the steam room will heat up very quickly. At the same time, high-quality steam will be guaranteed.

The mineral does not have toxic impurities or radiation, therefore it is highly environmentally friendly. When heated, it does not emit any unpleasant odors. The high refractory properties of dunite allow it to be used for a long time.

Due to the presence of olivine, the stone has beneficial properties for the body:

  • relieves tension;
  • normalizes blood pressure;
  • improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
  • has a positive effect on the vertebral structure and organs of vision;
  • has a preventive effect against colds.

Dozens of different shades and the beautiful texture of the mineral allow it to be used to create a special design in a bathhouse.

Choosing good stones for a bath is only half the battle. In order for them to perform their functions, they must be placed correctly and regularly sorted out.

To achieve the required effect per square meter you will need 5–6 kg of stones. For an open heater, you can select less heat-resistant samples. If the shape of the heater is closed, then it will have a higher temperature. In this case, stones are selected that can withstand it.

Large-sized minerals are placed at the very bottom, then medium-sized ones, and small pebbles are laid out at the very top. At the same time, there must be space between the stones for free circulation of heated air.

In extreme bath conditions, even natural stones become unusable after a while. Therefore, approximately once a year it is recommended to sort out the minerals, having first taken them out of the heater. Instances with damage or defects must be replaced. The remaining stones are washed, dried and placed back.

The right choice of stones will not only allow you to relax and relieve tension in the bath, but also improve your body’s health. A beautifully and harmoniously designed heater with minerals will provide quality relaxation.

We suggest you read: When do you tear bath brooms?

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