Crystal & mineral guide
Marble
Metamorphosed limestone/dolostone
Recrystallized carbonate rock — classic sculpture and architecture stone.
Identify Marble with RockScanAbout Marble
Marble is metamorphosed limestone/dolostone with interlocking calcite crystals. Takes a high polish. Still fizzes in acid. Carrara white set classical sculpture standards. Soft relative to silicates — scratches and etches with acids/household chemicals.
Marble belongs in a crystal identifier workflow because photo cues — color zoning, crystal habit, and surface luster — combine with measurable traits like Mohs 3–4 (aggregate) and specific gravity 2.6–2.8. Use RockScan’s camera to get a first-pass ID, then confirm with the checklist below.
Marble properties
| Mohs hardness | 3–4 (aggregate) |
|---|---|
| Crystal system | Carbonate aggregate |
| Luster | Vitreous to pearly |
| Color | White, gray, colored veining |
| Composition | Recrystallized calcite or dolomite |
| Formation | Contact or regional metamorphism of carbonate rocks |
| Occurrence | Italy (Carrara), Turkey, Greece, UAE/Oman mountains, worldwide |
| Specific gravity | 2.6–2.8 |
| Cleavage | None (rock; calcite cleaves internally) |
How to identify Marble
- Acid fizz; sugary crystalline texture
- Softer than quartzite
- Often veined
Collector notes
- Michelangelo's David was carved from Carrara marble
- Many 'marbles' in trade are unmetamorphosed limestones
Value context: Dimension stone by color, translucency, and vein aesthetics.
Marble FAQ
How do you identify Marble?
Marble (Metamorphosed limestone/dolostone) is typically recognized by white, gray, colored veining color, vitreous to pearly luster, Mohs hardness 3–4 (aggregate), and carbonate aggregate crystal system. RockScan can suggest Marble from a photo and surface these checks on the result card.
What is Marble made of?
Marble composition: Recrystallized calcite or dolomite. It forms via contact or regional metamorphism of carbonate rocks and is found in Italy (Carrara), Turkey, Greece, UAE/Oman mountains, worldwide.
Is Marble valuable?
Dimension stone by color, translucency, and vein aesthetics.
