INFORMATION ABOUT MARBLE

Marble Colors

Because natural structure of marble; colours change from pure white to onyx black. This natural character makes marble unique and none can look exactly like the other.

Different colours and patterns of marble formed by mineral impurities for instance marble containing hematite are reddish in color, marble that has limonite is yellow, and marble with serpentine is green in colour. These various impurities determine the colour of marble under the high pressure and temperature during the metamorphism.

Marble Finishes

Marble slabs and tiles are either polished or honed. Polished tiles provide a luxurious appearance, despite they are extremely slippery on wet ground. Therefore, in wet areas honed marble tiles offer more grip and are considered safe.

Recently, the popularity of “tumbled marble” has increased. These rustic tiles look like travertine. They have a rough finish, often have little pits full of crystal, and have an uneven edge which is usually rounded at the corners. They are available in many sizes and are popular for backsplashes, showers, and flooring. The hand-carved look provides an excellent way to counteract the formal air which marble typically lends to a room.

Cleft, Flamed, Brushed, Gauged

Grade of Marble

According to Marble Institute of America (MIA) marble classification embody the working sturdiness or the level of difficulty that the fabricator and/or installer will likely experience during fabrication and installation of the stone.

Grade A: Marbles with uniform and favorable working qualities; containing few geological flaws or voids.

Grade B: Marbles similar in character to the preceding group; but with less favorable working qualities; may have natural faults and/or dry veins; a limited amount of waxing, sticking and filling may be required.

Grade C: Marbles with some variation in working qualities; geological flaws, voids, veins and lines of separation are common. It is standard practice to repair these variations by one or more of several methods – waxing, sticking, filling or cementing. Liners and other forms of reinforcement are used when necessary.

Grade D: Marbles similar to the preceding group, but containing a larger proportion of natural faults, maximum variations in working qualities, and requiring more of the same methods of finishing. This group comprises many of the highly colored marbles prized for their decorative values.

Marble Slab & Tile Thickness

There are two slab thicknesses most commonly chosen when selecting/fabricating granite; 2 cm is ¾” thick & 3 cm is 1 ¼" thick. Whereas standart tile thickness is 1 cm 3/8 inch.

Marble Tile Sizes

Marble floor tiles are available in a variety of sizes.

• 12” X 12” tiles are the standard, and are generally 3/8” thick.

• 16” X 16” tiles are also available and are usually 7/16” thick.

• 24” X 24” tiles are usually the biggest available and come in ½” thickness.

These tiles sizes can be cut down to practically any size and shape, however it is most cost effective to divide them by even multiples. For instance a12” X 12” marble tile can be cut down into 3”, 4”, or 6” squares and the entire tile will be used. However a 5” square will leave two inches of material wasted in each tile.

Marble Edge Details

Eased/Straight, 1/2 Bevel, 1/4 Bevel, Half Bullnose/Demi Bullnose, Full Bullnose, Double Bevel, Dupont, Cove, Ogee.

Marble Types

There are several types of marbles, including calcites (from calciferous limestone), dolomites (from dolomite limestone), serpentines (typically green marbles) and travertine (sedimentary limestone). Each of these is similar in their composition, that being predominantly calcium carbonate, and their capability to take a polish.

MARBLE Physical & Chemical Properties

Physical Properties of Marble

Physically; marbles are recrystallized, hard and compact, fine to very fine grained metamorphosed rocks capable of taking shining polish.

Chemical Properties of Marble

Chemically, marbles are crystalline rocks composed predominantly of calcite, dolomite or serpentine minerals. The other minor constituents vary from origin to origin.