Marble

Marble has always been considered an elegant stone, with a truly unique look and feel. It has long symbolized extravagance and wealth, originating from its early use in palaces and temples centuries ago. Marble sculptures were commonplace in these structures, and admired for their beauty as well. The surface of marble countertops can be finished in a number of ways. When polished or honed, it has a very formal look. On the other hand, if it is tumbled or antiqued, it possesses a more casual appearance. It is important to mention that marble is formed from limestone. The texture and composition of limestone is altered by the pressure and heat in the earth’s crust. Large grains of calcite are formed through a process known as re-crystallization. Thanks to metamorphic events, marble is formed. Often, limestone and travertine are referred to as marble because their surfaces can be polished to a high gloss finish. The main mineral in marble is calcite, which is why it is highly reactive to acid. Anything containing acid will cause the surface of marble to etch. Etching occurs when a dull ring or mark becomes evident on the stones surface. Some culprits of this are vinegar, lemons, ketchup and orange juice.