Marble is a non-foliated metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.\u00a0 Marble is a metamorphic rock formed when sedimentary carbonates, most commonly Limestone or Dolomite rock is exposed to high temperatures and pressures. Marble forms under such conditions because the calcite forming the limestone recrystallizes forming a denser rock consisting of roughly equal granular calcite crystals.<\/p>\n
The word \u201cmarble\u201d derives from Greek meaning \u201cshining stone\u201d and the verb \u201cto flash, sparkle, gleam\u201d.\u00a0 It is valued for the many colors of swirls and veins found in numerous varieties of marble.\u00a0 The variety of colors exhibited by marble are a consequence of minor amounts of impurities being incorporated with the calcite during metamorphism.\u00a0 They are caused by impurities of clay, silt, sand, iron oxides or chert, which were present in the original limestone.<\/p>\n
Marble is granular and medium grained.\u00a0 It is hard, although component minerals are soft.\u00a0 It is generally gritty to touch.<\/p>\n
Marble is quarried around the world in large blocks and cut into dimensional stone. Famed marbles are Carrara<\/i> and Sienna<\/i> from Italy.\u00a0 Other notable marbles come from Germany, Greece, Ireland, Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom.\u00a0 In the U.S.A., Pitkens County, Georgia provides Creole<\/i>, Etowah<\/i>, and Murphy<\/i> marbles.\u00a0 In Talladega County, Alabama provides Sylacauga<\/i> marble.\u00a0 In Winchester County, New York provides Tuckahoe<\/i> marble.\u00a0 In Vermont, the town of Proctor is the center for Vermont<\/i> marble. In Colorado the town of Marble is the center for Yule<\/i> marble.<\/p>\n
Marble was used on the U.S. Post Office in Athens, GA.<\/p>\n
Marble has been used for sculpture since classical times.\u00a0 As a building material it is often used for building facings, paving, and fireplaces.\u00a0 It is also used for work surfaces, gravestones and for ornaments.<\/p>\n
In the Dimension Stone industry the term \u201cmarble\u201d is used for any crystalline calcitic rock (and some non-calcitic rocks) that are useful as building stones.<\/p>\n
Limestone<\/b> will sometimes be listed and included along with true Marble.\u00a0 For example \u201cTennessee Marble\u201d is actually an Ordovician Limestone (Holston Formation) and \u201cSt. Genevieve Marble\u201d from Missouri is an O\u00f6litic Limestone (Archimedes Formation).<\/p>\n
Quartzite.\u00a0 <\/b>Marble can appear superficially similar to quartzite.\u00a0 However, a metal blade can scratch marble.\u00a0 Quartzite is much harder.\u00a0 Also marble is effervescent when raw or powdered.\u00a0 It will fizz or bubble if you put dilute hydrochloric acid on it.\u00a0 Quartzite will not react with acid.<\/p>\n
Photos:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Marble is a non-foliated metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.\u00a0 Marble is a metamorphic rock formed when sedimentary carbonates, most commonly Limestone or Dolomite rock is exposed to high temperatures and pressures. Marble forms under such conditions because the calcite forming the limestone recrystallizes forming a denser rock consisting … <\/p>\n