Marble Facts

The word marble is derived from the Greek word marmaros which means shining stone. This is one of the properties which white marble seems to have has it glows when light is shone on marble.

Marble is a metamorphic stone which means the rock changes composition over time from one rock to another and comes from limestone or dolomite due to conditions of intense heat and pressure then this re-crystallises as marble.

Marble is available in various colour's from pink to red and earth colour's such as brown grey and green also black marble. Minerals and impurities create veins and streaks and form various coloured marble, these impurities are such as sand, clay, silt and iron oxide.

Marble has tiny pores in its surface which are very small for the human eye to see but are large enough to soak up moisture. If liquids which are high in colour soak in to the pores this can cause permanent discolouration.

As a preventative a surface sealant can be applied to marble which will clog the pores making it impossible for moisture to penetrate marble.

see also Marble FAQ