Marble Samples
Marble is a metamorphic rock which means that it was changed from one type of rock and formed into another rock resulting from metamorphism formed by a process known as recrystallization of the original carbonate mineral grains, where it has changed from a type of limestone calcite or dolomite rock situated deep in the earth’s crust where the natural heat and pressure has been applied over thousands of years to form what we call Marble. The resulting marble rock is typically composed of an interlocking mosaic of carbonate crystals. Multiple types of minerals impurities such as clay, silt, sand, iron oxides, or chert form together to create its unique colours, swirls and texture. Generally the colours, markings and veins within the stone can be more varied when compared to granite.Marble consists largely of the soft mineral calcite and because of this has a hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale. A method invented by a German Geologist Friedrich Mohs used for measuring the hardness and durability of materials by testing how easy or hard the material is to scratch. Granite instead consists of much harder minerals. Mostly feldspar and quartz and is rated 6 to 7 on the hardness scale. This is what tends to differentiate the commercial use between the two types of stone.
Marble is the preferred choice for bathrooms window sills, cladding and steps as well as for making sculptures as it is a softer material to work with and is used where there is less heavy traffic or maintenance areas as it is less durable than granite being a softer material. They both require sealing if going to be exposed to liquids such as water as they are both porous materials
Marble is derived from the Greek word marmaron or marmaros, meaning "crystalline rock" or "shining stone", perhaps from the verb marmairo, "to flash, sparkle, gleam". This stem is also the basis for the English word marmoreal, meaning "marble-like."
Marble production is dominated by 4 countries that account for almost half of world production of marble and decorative stone. Italy is the world leader in marble production, with 20% share in global marble production followed by China with 16% of world production. India is third ranking with 10% of world production, followed by Spain in fourth ranking position with 6% of world production. The other marble producing countries of the world represent the remaining other half of world marble production.
There are thousands of different Marble Colours but most wholesalers in the United Kingdom will stock the most familiar and widely used colours of Marble such as Arabescato, Botticino, Carrara, Crema Marfil, Emperador Dark, Forest Brown, Forest Green, Nero Maquena, Portoro, Rojo Alicante, and Statuario. The Marble samples we show are only a small selection. If you required a Marble which is not listed above, it would be more likely that we would need to order from the country of origin which could take up to six to eight weeks.
Marble is the preferred choice for bathrooms window sills, cladding and steps and is used where there is less heavy traffic or maintenance areas as it is less durable than granite being a softer material.
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