The
gneisses are common and widely distributed rocks which have been derived by
metamorphic processes from preexisting formations that were originally either
igneous or
sedimentary rocks. Gneissic rocks are coarsely laminated and largely recrystallized but do not carry large quantities of
micas,
chlorite or other platy
minerals. Gneisses that are metamorphosed igneous rocks or their equivalent are termed
granite gneisses,
diorite[?] gneisses, etc. However, depending on their composition, they may also be called
garnet gneiss,
biotite gneiss,
albite[?] gneiss, etc. Orthogneiss designates a gneiss derived from an igneous rock and paragneiss one from a sedimentary rock.
The word "gneiss" is from an old Saxon mining term which seems to have meant decayed or rotten, or possibly worthless material.
See also: List of minerals
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