Marble is a type of metamorphic rock which is characterized by swirls of color from impurities and the ability to take a very high polish. This stone has been used for thousands of years in art and architecture, and it continues to be very popular today in applications ranging from garden paving stones to mantles. High quality marble is typically very costly, and many people associate marble with luxurious design as a result. A variety of metamorphic rocks including granite are sometimes called “marble,” but true marble comes from either limestone or dolomite. As these sedimentary rocks undergo heat and pressure, they recrystallize, forming marble. Marble often has no clearly discernible grain, and it is typically streaked with veins and clouds of impurity which vary widely in color. When cut into slabs, these impurities can create striking and fanciful designs. Pure white marble comes from limestone with no impurities, and it has historically been highly prized. In many cultures, whit
A. True geological marble is limestone that has been subjected to great pressure and heat, which has changed its structure to a crystalline, sugary texture. It is generally white or whitish, sometimes translucent, with some veining or color provided by other minerals present at its formation. White Carrara, Thassos, Colorado Yule and Bianco Rosa are true marbles. Commercially, the term “marble” applies to any compact limestone that will take a polish, which includes most of the colored marbles, except some of the greens.
Marble is a metamorphic rock. Metamorphic means that heat and pressure deep in the earth has changed one type of rock (limestone) into a new, stronger stone called marble. Marble is available in many different colors and patterns. It is beautiful and versatile. Some marble, particularly the green and white marbles can even be used as kitchen counter tops as they are extremely hard, and less porous than other marbles making them less likely to stain.
