What is Marble?

Marble is a metamorphic rock that

forms when limestone is subjected to
the heat and pressure of metamorphism.
It is composed primarily of the
mineral calcite (CaCO3) and usually
contains other minerals, such as clay
minerals, micas, quartz, pyrite, iron
oxides, and graphite. Under the
conditions of metamorphism, the calcite
in the limestone recrystallizes to form a
rock that is a mass of interlocking
calcite crystals. A related rock,
dolomitic marble, is produced Pink Marble: A piece of pink marble about four inches (ten
when dolostone is subjected to heat and centimeters) across. The pink color is most likely derived from iron.
pressure. Image by NASA.

Photo Gallery: The Many Uses of

Marble

How Does Marble Form?

Most marble forms at convergent plate
boundaries where large areas of Earth's
crust are exposed to regional
metamorphism. Some marble also forms
by contact metamorphism when a hot
magma body heats adjacent limestone or
dolostone.
Before metamorphism, the calcite in the
limestone is often in the form of
lithified fossil material and biological
debris. During metamorphism, this
calcite recrystallizes and the texture of
the rock changes. In the early stages of Ruby in Marble: Marble is often the host rock for corundum, spinel,
the limestone-to-marble transformation, and other gem minerals. This specimen is a piece of white marble with
the calcite crystals in the rock are very a large red ruby crystal from Afghanistan. Specimen is about 1 1/4
small. In a freshly-broken hand inches across (about 3 centimeters). Specimen and photo by
Arkenstone / www.iRocks.com.
specimen, they might only be
recognized as a sugary sparkle of light reflecting from their tiny cleavage faces when the rock is
played in the light.
As metamorphism progresses, the crystals grow larger and become easily recognizable as
interlocking crystals of calcite. Recrystallization obscures the original fossils and sedimentary
structures of the limestone. It also occurs without forming foliation, which normally is found in
rocks that are altered by the directed pressure of a convergent plate boundary.
Recrystallization is what marks the separation between limestone and marble. Marble that has been
exposed to low levels of metamorphism will have very small calcite crystals. The crystals become
larger as the level of metamorphism progresses. Clay minerals within the marble will alter to micas
and more complex silicate structures as the level of metamorphism increases.

Physical Properties and

Uses of Marble
Marble occurs in large deposits that can
be hundreds of feet thick and
geographically extensive. This allows it
to be economically mined on a large
scale, with some mines and quarries
producing millions of tons per year.
Most marble is made into either crushed
stone or dimension stone. Crushed stone
is used as an aggregate in highways, Marble Dimension Stone: Marble cut into blocks and slabs of
railroad beds, building foundations, and specific size is known as "dimension stone." Photo iStockphoto /
other types of construction. Dimension Thomas Lehmann.
stone is produced by sawing marble into pieces of specific dimensions. These are used in
monuments, buildings, sculptures, paving and other projects. We have an article about "the uses of
marble" that includes photos and descriptions of marble in many types of uses.
Color: Marble is usually a light-
colored rock. When it is formed from a
limestone with very few impurities, it
will be white in color. Marble that
contains impurities such as clay
minerals, iron oxides, or bituminous
material can be bluish, gray, pink,
yellow, or black in color.
Marble of extremely high purity with a
bright white color is very useful. It is
Gray Marble: This specimen has calcite cleavage faces up to several
often mined, crushed to a powder, and
millimeters in size that are reflecting light. The specimen is about two
then processed to remove as many inches (five centimeters) across.
impurities as possible. The resulting
product is called "whiting." This powder
is used as a coloring agent and filler in
paint, whitewash, putty, plastic, grout,
cosmetics, paper, and other
manufactured products.
Acid Reaction: Being composed of
calcium carbonate, marble will react in
contact with many acids, neutralizing
the acid. It is one of the most effective
acid neutralization materials. Marble is
often crushed and used for acid
neutralization in streams, lakes, and
soils.
It is used for acid neutralization in the
Calcium carbonate medicines: Marble is composed of calcium
chemical industry as well. carbonate. That makes it very effective at neutralizing acids. Highest
Pharmaceutical antacid medicines such purity marble is often crushed to a powder, processed to remove
as "Tums" contain calcium carbonate, impurities, and then used to make products such as Tums and Alka-
which is sometimes made from Seltzer that are used for the treatment of acid indigestion. Crushed
marble is also used to reduce the acid content of soils, the acid levels
powdered marble. These medicines are
of streams, and as an acid-neutralizing material in the chemical
helpful to people who suffer from acid industry. Photo iStockphoto / NoDerog.
reflux or acid indigestion. Powdered
marble is used as an inert filler in other
pills.
Hardness: Being composed of calcite,
marble has a hardness of three on
the Mohs hardness scale. As a result,
marble is easy to carve, and that makes
it useful for producing sculptures and
ornamental objects. The translucence of
marble makes it especially attractive for many types of sculptures.
The low hardness and solubility of marble allows it to be used as a calcium additive in animal feeds.
Calcium additives are especially important for dairy cows and egg-producing chickens. It is also
used as a low-hardness abrasive for
scrubbing bathroom and kitchen fixtures.
More Rocks
Ability to Accept a Polish: After
being sanded with progressively finer Lapis
Lazuli
abrasives, marble can be polished to a
high luster. This allows attractive pieces
of marble to be cut, polished, and used Tumbled
as floor tiles, architectural panels, facing Stones
stone, window sills, stair treads,
columns, and many other pieces of
decorative stone. Quartzite

Another Definition of
Marble Geodes
The name "marble" is used in a different
way in the dimension stone trade. Any
crystalline carbonate rock that has an Fluorescent
ability to accept a polish is called Minerals
"marble." The name is sometimes used
for other soft rocks such as travertine, Rock,
Mineral
verd antique, serpentine, and some and Fossil
limestones. Collections.
Contributor: Hobart King
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