Stone Countertop Options: March 2017

Marble

Marble stone is a metamorphic full-crystalline carbonate rock, which is formed as a result of the recrystallization of dolomite and limestone. In other words, marble is such a rock in which you can see individual crystals with the naked eye, creating a dense array of carbonate marble.

Most often, marble has many different inclusions and impurities, like other minerals, and compounds of organic origin. All impurities and compounds in marble directly affect the quality of the stone. Often marble contains such minerals as pyrite, feldspar, hematite, limonite, quartz, and chalcedony. Marble is often used in the construction industry. And if workers get marble with a large number of quartz impurities, then polishing it and cutting it takes much more time.

The color and shades of a marble depend on the impurities that make up the crystal lattice. In addition to white tones, red shades often occur, caused by an admixture of hematite. Graphite in marble is distinguished by gray and black irregular stripes, and limonite gives a yellowish tint, but there is almost no green marble because when checked, green marble is always serpentine. One of the most important properties of marble and marble limestone is the decorativeness of its structure, as well as the blockiness of the stone, which is the most important industrial indicator. The block structure of marble makes it possible to cut, gouge out, polish, and give various forms to sculptures, marble columns, slabs, etc. The most expensive and prestigious color of marble is black with goldish veins formed by iron. They are lined with floors in hotels, restaurants, and museums, where you need to create an atmosphere of luxury and well-being.