• What is it and where is it formed?  Marble is a metamorphic limestone.  When limestone is heated and has pressure put on it, its calcite is melted.  Larger crystals are formed and this is marble.  Whatever is mixed in with the limestone decides the final color of the marble.  If limestone is pure, you get a white marble.   If it has hematite or clay in it, you will get a reddish color marble. Most marble is large grained and comes in many colors and patterns. 

• How and where is it mined?  Marble is mined in mountain areas using quarrying.  It is found in:  Canada, Italy, Germany, and Spain.  In the U.S., the best come from Vermont but there are quarries in Maryland, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and lots of other states.

• What is it used for?  Marble is used in statues, buildings, tomb stones, fireplace mantles, floor tiles, and countertops. It is soft and is easy to carve or cut into shapes.  This is why it is used to make statues. 

• Interesting information:

  • Ancient Egyptians used marble in their pyramids.

A piece of marble that was drilled out of a wall.