metamorphic
Zebra marble
Banded calcite marble, commonly called zebra marble; chiefly calcite (CaCO₃), sometimes with dolomite and dark silicate or carbonaceous minerals
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectTypically white to cream with dark gray or black bands; crystalline, often sugary to polished luster. Calcite has Mohs hardness 3, rhombohedral cleavage, and reacts with dilute acid; appearance and properties vary with impurities.
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Physical properties
Typically white to cream with dark gray or black bands; crystalline, often sugary to polished luster. Calcite has Mohs hardness 3, rhombohedral cleavage, and reacts with dilute acid; appearance and properties vary with impurities.
Formation & geological history
Forms when limestone or dolostone recrystallizes during metamorphism, producing interlocking carbonate crystals and preserving or developing contrasting bands. Marble occurs across many geological ages; the image alone cannot determine the specimen’s age or quarry.
Uses & applications
Used for decorative stone, tiles, countertops, sculpture, and polished collectible specimens.
Geological facts
“Zebra marble” is a commercial appearance name, not one uniquely defined geological variety; banding may reflect original sedimentary layers or metamorphic mineral segregation.
Field identification & locations
Look for interlocking crystalline grains, distinctive dark-and-light banding, and calcite’s softness and acid reaction. Marble is quarried worldwide, including in Italy, Greece, Turkey, and India.
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