metamorphic
White Marble (Whiskey Stone)
Recrystallized Calcite / Marble (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white with crystalline texture; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Trigonal/hexagonal; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral; Specific gravity: 2.7
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Milky white with crystalline texture
- Luster
- Vitreous to pearly
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: Milky white with crystalline texture; Luster: Vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Trigonal/hexagonal; Cleavage: Perfect rhombohedral; Specific gravity: 2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed from the regional or contact metamorphism of limestone or dolostone. High heat and pressure cause the original carbonate mineral grains to recrystallize into a dense interlocking grid.
Uses & applications
Commonly used as whiskey stones for chilling drinks without dilution, in construction for tiles, and in sculpture due to its soft workability and aesthetic appeal.
Geological facts
Marble was favored by ancient Greek and Roman sculptors like Michelangelo. In the form seen here, it has been mechanically tumbled into a cube for use as a reusable ice substitute.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its softness (can be scratched by steel) and effervescence when exposed to dilute acid. Commonly found in mountainous regions such as Carrara, Italy, or the Appalachians in the US.
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