Carrara Marble Mineral Composition

Typically marble is composed of the following major constituents.

Carrara marble mineral composition.

Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals most commonly calcite or dolomite. Marble worktops marble is a metamorphic rock which is formed when limestone re crystallizes. This process is caused by heat and pressure which interlocks the stone particles to become a mosaic of crystals. Grade select grade 0 30 microns 0 60 microns 0 200 microns 0 300 microns 0 400 microns 0 600 microns 0 800 microns 0 1 0 3mm fine chippings 0 2 0 6mm fine chippings 0 4 0 8mm fine chippings 0 6 1 2mm fine chippings 1 2 1 8mm fine chippings clear.

In addition to the major constituents marble can have many different mineral impurities of various percentages. The black yeast micrococcus halobius can colonize carrara marble by forming a biofilm and producing gluconic lactic pyruvic and succinic acids from glucose as seen in the dionysos theater of the acropolis in athens. Marble contributes a very special natural appearance to the systems in which it is used. Carrara marble contains on average about 98 of calcium carbonate together with small percentage of silica magnesia dolomite and residue.

Under the conditions of metamorphism the calcite in the. Bruijna karsten kunzeb david mainpricec luigi burlinia a geological institute eth zürich sonneggstrasse 5 ch 8092 zürich switzerland. Marble is considered to be a strong hard stone even though its primary mineral calcite only has a mohs hardness of 3. Statuary marble comes in different subtypes such as statuary carrara 1 which is almost entirely white in color statuary carrara 1 which has a slightly more yellow tone to it and statuary mossa which has a uniform beige color throughout.

It is composed primarily of the mineral calcite caco 3 and usually contains other minerals such as clay minerals micas quartz pyrite iron oxides and graphite. Mechanical and microstructural development of carrara marble with pre existing strain variation rolf h c. Statuary marble is oftentimes confused with calcutta and carrara marble due to the striking similarities in the colors. Marble tends to be light in color.

Marble is typically not foliated although there are exceptions. The different arrays of. Marble can be scratched with a metal blade. The purest marble is white.