White Marble Facts

Pure white marble is free of impurities.

Ancient marble treasures of Greece and Rome still stand in today's museums. The rock decorates the edifices of goddess temples and adds a sense of glory to the Taj Mahal. It also adorns the Lincoln Memorial. This short list of where white marble appears testifies to a durability that lures artists like Michelangelo to the material. Light's deep penetration of this rock will charm you. Facts about marble shed light on its mystique and required care.

Metamorphic

White marble is a metamorphic rock. When the earth exerts heat and pressure on pure limestone, it begins to recrystallize into "an interlocking mosaic of calcite, aragonite and/or dolomite crystals," according to professor Luis Prieto-Porter of Florida International University.

Fossil Free

Its likely that you won't find fossils in white marble. The hot temperatures that create marble usually destroy evidence of fossilized life. Yet, white marble may have other distinct characteristics, if its not pure.

Impurities

Impurities within a piece of marble's parent rock create bands, swirls and veins. Marble's quality depends on the purity of its parent, limestone. Impurities in the original limestone can cause later structural breakdowns when the rock becomes white marble. According to the U.S. General Services Administration, an impurity that impacts its crystalline structure makes white marble break down and then crumble.

Staining

White marble will stain when exposed to dyes or pigments. Organic stains left by leaves, droppings or decomposing organic matter creates red-brownish stains. Those are usually temporary and will disappear when the debris is gone, unless oxidization leaves behind damaging residue.

Weathering

Wind and thermal changes can deteriorate the glossy finish of pure white marble. Despite its inherently low porosity, white marble is not immune to rain water acids. Marble has an elliptical pore shape so it quickly dissolves under acidic moisture. The U.S. General Services Administration says common symptoms of marble weathering include a decreased gloss and a "loss of crisp edge details in decorative carved areas of the stone."

Erosion

Aside from the effect of weathering on white marble, exposure to wind-driven abrasives increase the potential for damage. Flying sand, dirt and particles can harm white marble's detailing and sheen. Although white marble is durable, thoughtful placement is a protective measure. Inexpensive landscape grades may effectively deter erosion of outdoor white marble pieces or patios.

Availability

The availability of white marble can vary. White marble comes from quarries inside and outside of the country. Before setting your heart on one specific type of white marble, uncovering its unique facts and current availability prevents unexpected costs.

References

• The Florida State University: White Marble
• Florida International University: Metamorphic Rocks
• U.S. General Services Administration: Marble: Characteristics, Uses and Problems