metamorphic
Marble
Recrystallized Calcite (CaCO3)
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: white to grey with crystalline grain; Luster: vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Trigonal (as calcite grains); Cleavage: rhombohedral in individual crystals; Specific gravity: 2.7
- Hardness
- 3 on Mohs scale
- Color
- white to grey with crystalline grain
- Luster
- vitreous to pearly
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3 on Mohs scale; Color: white to grey with crystalline grain; Luster: vitreous to pearly; Crystal structure: Trigonal (as calcite grains); Cleavage: rhombohedral in individual crystals; Specific gravity: 2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of limestone or dolostone. Under high pressure and temperature, the original sedimentary carbonate grains recrystallize into a dense interlocking mosaic of calcite or dolomite crystals.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in construction for countertops, flooring, and wall tiles. It is also a preferred medium for sculpture and garden decoration, and ground marble is used in paper, paint, and chemicals.
Geological facts
Pure white marble is the result of metamorphism of a very pure (silicate-poor) 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 in the field by its crystalline texture and softness; it can be scratched by a steel knife and will effervesce (fizz) when exposed to dilute hydrochloric acid. Commonly found in mountainous regions such as the Italian Alps or the Appalachian Mountains.
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