sedimentary

Travertine

Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)

Hardness: 3 on the Mohs scale, Color: Beige, tan, white, or cream, Luster: Dull to vitreous, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (as calcite)

Luster: Dull to vitreous, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (as calcite)

Identified August 1, 2026More sedimentary →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3 on the Mohs scale, Color: Beige, tan, white, or cream, Luster: Dull to vitreous, Crystal Structure: Trigonal (as calcite)

Formation & geological history

Formed by the precipitation of carbonate minerals from ground and surface waters, or geothermal hot springs, often accumulating in limestone caves or around hot springs.

Uses & applications

Widely used in architecture for building facades, wall cladding, flooring, interior design, and garden landscaping.

Geological facts

Travertine has been used as a building material since ancient Roman times; the Colosseum in Rome is largely constructed from travertine.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its characteristic fibrous or concentric layering and typical pitted, porous surface texture. Common in regions with active geothermal springs such as Italy, Turkey, and Yellowstone in the US.