Marble Slabs - A Definition

Marble is a type of metamorphic rock – a rock that in some shape or form has experienced a transformation because of heat, pressure, or any other sort of natural impact. Marble is created through the recrystalization of limestone, which is put under immense heat and pressure deep under the Earth's surface. This process causes other minerals to become present within the structure of the stone. This is what gives marble its aesthetic appeal -- its veins and colours would not otherwise be present.

 

Marble has a nice range for colours, literally any colour from white to black. Since marble is a porous stone, especially in comparison to granite (another popular stone used within home design)marble has a higher likelihood of staining and scratching. It is often better suited for washrooms, hearths, and furniture design, as opposed to kitchen countertops and high traffic areas, for which granite is better suited.

 

There are three main types of marble:

 

Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock that is comprised of calcite minerals which in this case, refers to minerals derived from marine organisms. Limestone usually also contains:

Depending on where the limestone is found, it can come in many different colours, including grey, yellow and black. For instance, limestone deposits within the United States tend to be of grey to buff hues. Imported limestone range widely in colour and can be:

Travertine is also a type of sedimentary rock from calcite, but the calcite of travertine is specifically derived from hot water springs and their streams. Types of marble created from travertine tend to be even more prone to staining, and even less able to withstand heat or exposure to acidic solutions. Therefore, marble from travertine rocks are less ideal for kitchen purposes. This downfall of travertine marble is usually traced back to the sediments or water plants that are locked in during formation and then decompose, trapping in gasses that make it more porous.

 

 

Onyx is found in limestone caves and is created through the process of drip water like stalagmite and stalactites. Stalactite is a type of deposit, often of calcium carbonate. It mimics the form of an icicle and is created via dripping calcareous water, which simply refers to water that contains calcium or calcium carbonate. Stalagmite is essentially the same thing as stalactite but reversed, in that stalactite deposits hang from the roof of caves, stalagmite icicles are formed on the ground of caves. Marble made from onyx are most ideal for furniture design applications, as well as bathrooms, and hearths and other fireplace structural accessories.