MARBLE FACTS

Marble has been valued for thousands of years for its rich palette of beautiful colors and appearance. A perfect stone for anywhere in the home. Marble is formed from limestone or dolomite that has undergone enough heat and pressure to get metamorphosized into a crystalline structure. This metamorphosis takes place when the weight of overlying material, pressure from crystal collisions and heat from the earth's core generate temperatures in excess of 1800ºF. It has an interlocking or mosaic texture composed of crystalline grain of calcite, dolomite or both. Textures of marble depends on the form, size and uniformity of grains. The chemical constituents of marble determine the color of the marble. Generally calcite and dolomite marbles are of pure white color. Variations of whiteness of pure marbles are due to the mixture of foreign substances. Such impurities form bands, streaks and clouds. Black and grayish shades are due to graphite; browns, greens, pinks and reds are mainly due to the presence of manganese oxides or hematite.

Corner of the "Basilica" at Paestum, Italy.