Geological Classification of Marble

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The rock forming the earth's crust falls into three generic group's: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic.

Heat, pressure, and chemical reactions may change either igneous or sedimentary rock into metamorphic rock, meaning "changed in form," usually into a more compact and crystalline condition, and even metamorphic rocks may be further altered to higher ranks of metamorphism.

Rocks may become plastic under great pressure and high temperature and by earth movement. They may be folded into complex forms with a banded structure. Many constitutes minerals may be dissolved, transported, and reprecipitated by thermal waters. Heat and pressure may cause recrystallization.

As a result, new rocks are formed, differing widely from the igneous or sedimentary types, and usually much harder than either. Thus, shale and related rocks may be altered into slate and limestone into marbles.

Marble, is therefore , metamorphic rock resulting from the recrystallization of limestone. Commercially however, all calcareous rocks produced by nature that are capable of taking a polish are called marbles, as are some dolomitic and serpentine rocks.

Reference: Dimensional Stone Design Manual, Marble Institute of America

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