Marble is one of the most popular building surfaces used by humans. It gives a beautiful sparkly shine that, once it is smoothed and polished, looks incredible. What is it about marble that means we like to use it so much? You will see it on kitchen surfaces and in lobbies as entrance flooring, you might even see it on walls or as pillars to support the roof. It is also used a lot for Marble Headstones in cemeteries and graveyards. If you would like to see some examples Marble headstones from Abbey Memorials is a good place to start. Here are a few facts about this wonderful material.
Marble is a metamorphic rock. In other words it changes when its original rock form, limestone, is subjected to extremes of heat and pressure. For a pure limestone this creates a marble that is white. However, impure limestone, that has bits of iron oxide or clay in it, will produce colours like blue, pink and black. It has a slightly sparkling quality to it. This is where it gets its name from the latin word marmaros which translates as shining stone.
Marble is easy to cut, shape and sculpt. It has been used to make some incredible statues and is still used to this day. Marble has been seen as a sign of wealth and importance and lots were found in the tombs of pharaohs. They even made pots out of it for their innards when they were mummified.