metamorphic
White Marble
Recrystallized Calcite (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Pure white to light gray; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Rhombohedral; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral (in individual crystals); Specific gravity: 2.71
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pure white to light gray
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Pure white to light gray; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Rhombohedral; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral (in individual crystals); Specific gravity: 2.71
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional or contact metamorphism of limestone or dolostone. Under intense heat and pressure, the original carbonate minerals recrystallize into an interlocking mosaic of calcite or dolomite crystals.
Uses & applications
Used widely in construction as building stone and aggregate, in sculpture due to its soft workability, as a soil conditioner (lime), and in pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing as a pH neutralizer.
Geological facts
Marble provides one of the best examples of how heat and pressure can transform a sedimentary rock (limestone) into a completely different textured rock. Famous statues like Michelangelo's David are carved from high-quality Carrara marble.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its sugary, crystalline texture and its reaction (effervescence) when exposed to a drop of dilute hydrochloric acid. It is softer than glass and can be scratched with a steel knife.
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