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Marble identification and geology

A metamorphic rock formed by the recrystallization of limestone or dolostone under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure. Marble is composed primarily of interlocking calcite or dolomite crystals and may contain accessory minerals such as tremolite, diopside, forsterite, or graphite depending on the protolith composition and metamorphic grade. Pure marble is white; impurities produce characteristic colors and veining. Field: petrology. Example: Carrara marble from Tuscany, Italy, has been prized since Roman times for sculpture and architecture due to its fine grain, uniform white color, and translucency—it was Michelangelo's preferred stone.. Related terms: Limestone, Calcite, Contact metamorphism, Recrystallization.

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  • Contact metamorphism

Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T15:19:42.055955+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • USGS Thesaurus — U.S. Geological Survey. Controlled earth-science terminology used to describe USGS information resources.
  • Glossary of Geologic Terms — U.S. National Park Service. Geologic definitions prepared by the NPS Geologic Resources Inventory.

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Common questions

What does Marble mean in geology?
A metamorphic rock formed by the recrystallization of limestone or dolostone under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure. Marble is composed primarily of interlocking calcite or dolomite crystals and may contain accessory minerals such as tremolite, diopside, forsterite, or graphite depending on the protolith composition and metamorphic grade. Pure marble is white; impurities produce characteristic colors and veining.
What is an example of Marble?
Carrara marble from Tuscany, Italy, has been prized since Roman times for sculpture and architecture due to its fine grain, uniform white color, and translucency—it was Michelangelo's preferred stone.
Which earth-science field uses the term Marble?
Marble is used in petrology.
Which terms are related to Marble?
Related terms in this reference are Limestone, Calcite, Contact metamorphism, Recrystallization.

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