metamorphic
Marble
Recrystallized Calcite (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: typically white or grayish; Luster: vitreous to pearly; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (rhombohedral); Specific Gravity: 2.7
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- typically white or grayish
- Luster
- vitreous to pearly
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: typically white or grayish; Luster: vitreous to pearly; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (rhombohedral); Specific Gravity: 2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional or contact metamorphism of sedimentary carbonate rocks, such as limestone or dolostone, under high heat and pressure.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction, sculpture, flooring, and as a raw material for lime and agricultural supplements.
Geological facts
Pure white marble consists of almost pure calcite. Many of history's most famous sculptures, including Michelangelo's David, were carved from Carrara marble.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its softness (can be scratched by a copper coin) and its vigorous effervescence when exposed to a drop of dilute hydrochloric acid. It typically shows a crystalline, sugary texture.
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