metamorphic
Marble
Recrystallized Calcite (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: White with grey banding; Luster: Vitreous to sugary; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral (in individual grains); Specific Gravity: 2.7
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- White with grey banding
- Luster
- Vitreous to sugary
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: White with grey banding; Luster: Vitreous to sugary; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral (in individual grains); Specific Gravity: 2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional or contact metamorphism of limestone or dolostone. High heat and pressure cause the original carbonate mineral grains to recrystallize into an interlocking mosaic.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as building stone, floor tiles, and countertops. Also used for sculpture, as a soil treatment to reduce acidity, and in its powdered form for paper and plastic production.
Geological facts
Pure white marble is the result of metamorphism of a very pure limestone. The characteristic swirls and veins of many colored marble varieties are usually due to various mineral impurities such as clay, silt, sand, or iron oxides.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its crystalline (sugary) texture and its reaction to dilute hydrochloric acid (it will fizz). Commonly found in mountainous regions such as Carrara, Italy, or the Appalachian Mountains.
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