As one of the oldest and most beautiful stones available today, Marble has blessed the world with its elegance and class for centuries. Its popularity has reigned since ancient times and continues to be incorporated in many modern home designs today. Its timeless beauty and impervious strength make it one of the best natural stones for any project. Beyond the sophistication and style that marble is known for, there is a rich and deep-rooted history.
Where It All Began
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of brilliant crystals and eye-catching minerals. The gorgeous patterns and creamy swirls that marble displays are a result of metamorphism and are truly what this stone is known for. The word “marble” comes from Ancient Greek meaning “shining stone.” Because of this, marble was commonly used for statues, buildings, and floor tiles in Ancient Greece and Rome.
Although many slabs of marble are purely white with hints of gray detail, many of them also contain wide arrays of color. This occurs when different minerals are present in the stone beneath its surface. For instance, pure calcite marble is almost entirely white. Whereas red marble gets its color from hematite and greenish-yellow marble has limonite minerals.
White marble has been a prized material for sculptures in many ancient civilizations. Sculpting with white marble is easier to carve due to its resistance to shattering and soft nature. It is still widely accepted as one of the best materials to sculpt with even today. Marble that was used in construction centuries ago was often composed of minerals capable of being polished. The strength and beauty of marble made it one of the most popular materials to build with and create cities in classical times.
How Marble Is Used Today
Marble continues to be a dominant material in the construction industry millennials after its initial use. Today, marble is primarily used to build roads, building foundations, and railroad beds. It is crushed up and utilized for its strength and heat resistance. It is also still used frequently for the construction of sculptures, monuments, and paving stones.
When it comes to home design, marble continues to add elegance and timeless appeal to the spaces of any home or business. It’s rare that we find a material or design that stays in style for so long, but marble has that classic touch that will never get old. From countertops to fireplaces to flooring, marble does it all.
Marble countertops have become an iconic home staple for much of the world. Their durability stands up well in a high-traffic kitchen or bathroom and their beauty shines at all angles. Marble is often used for many surfaces in bathrooms given its resistance to water and heat.
For those that use heat tools on a regular basis, marble is a great option to preserve the look of your bathroom space. Its ability to combat wet environments comes in handy for showers or floors as well. With marble, you won’t have to worry about decay or damage over time.
Marble is also a wonderful material for any fire structure. Again, its resistance to heat makes it a great stone for showcasing a fireplace or unique outdoor fire feature. Marble is, without a doubt, one of the best materials on the market when it comes to home building. It’s been in style dating back thousands of years in history and won’t be leaving anytime soon. Its rich history and classic charm are beloved all over the globe. Marble is truly a one of a kind stone perfect for any project or design.
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