Chemical Composition Of Carrara Marble

Marble is composed primarily of calcite dolotimite or perhaps serpentine and other similar minerals.

Chemical composition of carrara marble.

Smaller pieces of such marble are crushed or finely ground and used as abrasives in soaps and other products. Exposure to these extreme conditions has altered the mineralogy texture and chemical composition of the rocks. Under the conditions of metamorphism the calcite in the limestone recrystallizes to form a rock that is a mass of interlocking calcite crystals. As anticipated marble is a carbonate rock that is to say it is mainly based on carbonate it must have at least 50 of carbonates.

It is composed primarily of the mineral calcite caco 3 and usually contains other minerals such as clay minerals micas quartz pyrite iron oxides and graphite. Marble formed from the purest limestone is the white marble characteristic of carrara nasa earth observatory 2016 it is this detailed chemical process that gives carrara marble its waxy finish a prized aesthetic among sculptors who wish to mimic a human likeness. The italian artist michelangelo used marble from carrara italy in a number of sculptures. It s the most common type making it the most affordable sold at most countertop vendors for about 40 per square foot this is typically found in the regions of carrara or tuscany italy.

In geology the term marble refers to metamorphosed limestone but its use in stonemasonry more broadly encompasses unmetamorphosed limestone. Carrara is a white or blue gray stone with soft gray veins often with hints of gold. Carrara marble a grayer version with softer veins from carrara italy is one of the least expensive natural countertop materials on the market mainly because it s readily available. Carrara marble contains on average about 98 of calcium carbonate together with small percentage of silica magnesia dolomite and residue.

Marble is metamorphic rocks have been modified by heat pressure and chemical process usually while buried deep below earth s surface. Marble is typically not foliated although there are exceptions. Extremely pure calcite marble is used for most statues. The marble are basically two type calcitic calcium carbonate with other minerals.

The exact chemical composition of marble will greatly vary dependong on the location and the minerals or impurities present in the limestone during recrystallization.