
Taking a close look at marble, you might wonder how such a beautiful and intricately patterned rock was taken from the earth—and that’s exactly what we’re here to explain.
What Is Marble Exactly?
Marble forms when limestone or dolomite is impacted by intense pressure and heat at the boundaries of tectonic plates under the earth’s surface. It’s a type of metamorphic rock, and it gains its distinctive veins and swirls from the mineral deposits as they react to the heat and pressure it endures.
Where Is Marble Found?
Marble can be found in many areas of the world, but there are four places that produce the most marble out of anywhere else. You’ll often find that your marble slabs come from Italy, China, India, or Spain. But countries like Turkey, Greece, and the United States have marble quarries as well.
Southern Italy is the best-known place for commercial marble. You’ve probably heard about Carrara and Calacatta marble before, as those are named after the two Italian cities they are mined from. These types of marbles are quite luxurious and considered to be very high quality. Oftentimes, they come to mind first when you picture marble in your head. You’ll find that they typically have a creamy, white background with beautiful gray veining patterns throughout the stone.
Marble Mining
Marble mining starts by creating a bench wall using synthetic diamond wire and diamond-tipped drills. This is meant to separate the rock and form a vertical wall by drilling holes in the marble from the top of the quarry and lining up a drill hole from the side. Then the wire is fed through the holes and connected to a machine sitting on the track to keep the tension in the wire as it slices through the marble. If the quarry is inside a mountain (called a gallery quarry) a chainsaw type of machine is used instead.
The marble is then processed into uniform blocks. Each block can weigh over fifteen thousand pounds! These blocks are transported away from the quarry on heavy-duty vehicles to be milled. When they are milled, they are cut with diamond wires or a special saw to create seven- to nine-foot slabs.
Marble’s Home Usage
Marble can be used in many places throughout the home. No matter where you place it, it’s sure to look beautiful and liven up the space. In most cases, it’s used as a countertop, flooring, or bathroom tiles—but this stone allows you to get creative and think up all sorts of ways to use it. Some people have even put it to work as a kitchen backsplash.
Your Unique Marble
Marble is a natural stone that is unique in every way. If you’re interested in learning more about this material, get in touch with us at Affordable Quality Marble & Granite today.
Marble protection
If you protect marble’s surface from hot, sharp, and rough objects, it will last longer. For example, to prevent scratches, you’ll want to cut food on a cutting board instead of directly on the countertop’s surface. And get into the habit of using a hot pad or trivet when handling hot pots and pans.
Usage of marble
Regular wear and tear are bound to occur if you use your marble on a frequent basis. How long your countertop lasts will most definitely depend on how often you use it.
Your Unique Marble
In the end, marble countertops are worth the investment. To learn more about their longevity or how to take care of your slab, reach out to Affordable Marble & Granite today.
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