Marble has a very unique granular texture. Looking closely, you can see the aforementioned interlocking crystals within the slab. Many people mistakenly refer to many different stones as marble. However, this trick might help you differentiate other stones from marble.
Continue reading to learn more about how marble is formed and its properties and uses.
What is Marble?(Explained)
Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms after going through extreme amounts of heat and pressure within the crust of the earth. Its original formation is called limestone, mainly composed of calcite. The harsh conditions it got through caused the limestone to recrystallize until a slab of interlocking calcite was formed.
Because they are composed of calcium carbonate, marble rocks, in their purest form, usually have a base color of beige, white, or cream. However, some mineral impurities get mixed into it during its creation process, such as quartz, iron oxides, and graphite. These impurities are what give marble its signature veins.
Depending on which mineral was mixed and how much of it determined the color and the intensity of the veins.
What are Metamorphic Rocks?
Metamorphic rocks are one of the three types of rocks, the other being sedimentary rocks and igneous rocks. These three different types are formed in different ways and have different properties.
Metamorphic rocks are made from rocks that were transformed because of outer conditions. On the contrary, igneous rocks are formed from cooled molten rocks; an example of this type is granite.
Due to the movement of the earth, metamorphic rocks get more and more squeezed under the pressure of the plates. Moreover, they are buried very deep and are subjected to very high temperatures.
These conditions alter the state of the rock and change its natural properties. As these are rocks, instead of melting, the composition of it transforms and it changes into a metamorphic rock.
How is Marble Formed?
Marble’s creation process usually occurs where different tectonic plates converge. These areas are exposed to a lot of pressure as the plates converge.
Moreover, it is also where the earth’s crust is exposed to immense heat. These two occurrences form the perfect conditions for the creation of metamorphic rock. Marble can also form by contacting adjacent limestone heated by hot magma.
Limestone contains calcite, formed from fossil material and biological remnants before undergoing the metamorphic process. However, during the process, it becomes recrystallized, and the formation of the stone changes.
Limestone before the metamorphism has very small crystal formations; as it transforms, the crystals grow larger and larger. This differentiation makes it easier to know if certain pieces of marble have been exposed to low or high levels of metamorphism.
Related Read: 8 Benefits of Marble
What are the Properties of Marble?
Appearance: Marble has a unique appearance that is hard to imitate. As a natural stone, marble possesses an organic feeling that cannot be replicated with engineered stones. Moreover, its classic beauty and elegance made it one of the most popular and sought-after stones by homeowners and interior decorators alike.
Its amazing appearance is why it was the most popular stone used for sculptures in Ancient Greek and also the reason why it is the primary stone used for the construction of the Taj Mahal.
Marble is usually available in neutral colors such as cremes, whites, and grays.
However, that isn’t to say those are the only colors of marble slabs. Depending on where it is quarried and which minerals it contains, you can find slabs with gold, brown, green, blue, red, and pink streaks or veins.
Of course, these colors are less abundant than white and cream, yet they are also very rewarding to obtain because they can be the finishing touch in your home.
Versatility: Thanks to its classic look and durability, marble is a material that can be used in different environments for different purposes. You can use it as a decorative stone in places such as fireplace surrounds, staircases, or bedroom marble flooring.
You can give it more function by installing it as countertops, island tops or vanity tops, and more. These are only a few examples because the many uses of marble are too many to count.
Heat resistance: As marble is formed under immense heat, it is resistant to the heat found in any kitchen. This quality makes it an ideal option for kitchens and bathrooms.
However, marble is also a porous stone. In other words, it must be sealed with resin before use to remove dirt and dust. The resin used to protect it usually isn’t as heat resistant as marble. For that reason, we would still advise you to use trivets before placing hot pans and pots on your countertops.
In the case of an accident, if a hot dish were placed on the countertops, it could cause the resin coating to burn. This might seem like a big damage but don’t fret. You can contact professionals to reseal the surface because the marble underneath the coating won’t be damaged.
Value: As marble is a type of stone that is so popular and contains such positive attributes, it also significantly increases your property’s value. There are two factors to the value increase.
The first of the two is the price factor. If you installed new and gorgeous marble countertops in your house, your house will now be worth more. Not only because your home is newly refurbished but because it is a marble.
The second factor is now your house will be a more desirable property on the market. Most potential buyers wouldn’t want to deal with renovations after moving in – especially renovations as messy and frustrating as kitchen or bathroom renovations.
Therefore, it will be highly desirable if your house is ready to move in. Moreover, marble features will steal the hearts of many as it is considered a sign of luxury and an upscale environment.
In short, marble is a stone with many desirable qualities that visually elevate your space and add functionality to your house. As it goes through various processes and transformations,
It gains unique characteristics that make it so popular today. If you want to elevate your kitchen or bathroom with marble, as Keystone, we are happy to help. Reach out for a consultation or more information.
FAQ
- Is marble a volcanic rock?
No, marble is not a volcanic rock but a metamorphic rock. Volcanic rocks originate from solidified magma or lava erupted from volcanic explosions. On the other hand, marble is formed under immense pressure and heat in the earth’s crust and is later quarried after its formation.