metamorphic
White Marble
Recrystallized Calcite (CaCO3) / Marble
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Pure white to off-white; Luster: Vitreous to sub-vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (rhombohedral); Specific Gravity: 2.7
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pure white to off-white
- Luster
- Vitreous to sub-vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Pure white to off-white; Luster: Vitreous to sub-vitreous; Crystal Structure: Trigonal (rhombohedral); Specific Gravity: 2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional or contact metamorphism of limestone or dolostone. Heat and pressure cause the parent rock to recrystallize into an interlocking mosaic of calcite or dolomite crystals.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction as building stone and floor tiles, sculpture, fountain components, and as a calcium source in agricultural or industrial applications.
Geological facts
Statuary-grade white marble, such as Carrara marble from Italy, was the material used by Michelangelo for the sculpture of David. The Taj Mahal in India is the world's most famous structure built primarily of white marble.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its characteristic softness (scratched by a copper penny or knife) and its vigorous effervescence (bubbling) when a drop of dilute hydrochloric acid is applied. It is common in mountainous regions where ancient seabeds have been uplifted.
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