What Is Marble?

Marble is simply limestone that has been compressed and/or heated deep within the earth's crust. Unlike granite, marble was never molten rock, but it may have been heated and squeezed enough for the limestone grains to bend and flow. Marble is also made up of only one mineral -- calcite -- a relatively soft mineral with a hardness of "3". Calcite is a common mineral -- all limestones and nearly all seashells are made of it, but it does not occur in granite. Because marble is made entirely of calcite, it is much softer than granite.

Commercially, the term marble is used to describe any crystallized carbonate rock including true marble and certain limestones (orthomarble) that is capable of taking a polish.

Travertine and serpentine, while not true marbles, are usually included in the commercial definition of marble.

Most marbles are not dense enough to ward away liquid stains, so maintenance is key to long-term beautiful marble surfaces.

Pros: waterproof; heatproof; beautiful.