Interesting facts about the origin and name of marble

Most likely, everyone knows that marble is a metamorphic rock, but here are some less well – known and interesting facts about its origin.

Marble takes hundreds of years to form, and is therefore among the oldest parts of the earth’s crust.

Marble begins its life as limestone or dolomite and, due to pressure and heat, turns into a harder, denser and more colorful stone.

Some of the key components of marble are calcite, dolomite crystals, and aragonite.

Marble is commonly found among other metamorphic rocks, such as gneiss and mica.

In Patagonia, Chile, you can see the most beautiful blue marble formed in partially submerged caves.

Curiously, in ancient times, people could tell where marble came from just by looking at its color. Now there are still children of marble who bear their historical name, derived from the place of its origin. Here are some examples:

Carrara and Luni marble from Italy

Durango Marble from Coyote Quarry, Mexico

Thassos, Paros and Penteli from Greece

Rouge de Rance from Rance, Belgium

Proconnesus of Turkey

Macael from Spain

Black marble from Kilkenny, Ireland

Royal White and Beijing White from China

Yule from Colorado

Danby from Vermont

Botiken and Onyx (Green) from Pakistan