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Marble

A metamorphic rock formed by alteration of limestone or dolomite, often irregularly colored by impurities, and used especially in architecture and sculpture. In the current language, is any stone used for decorative purposes and takes a polish. The Greek word for marmores means glistening.

A type of stone traditionally used in sculpture and architecture. A metamorphic rock (metamorphosed calcite or dolomite), finely grained, dense, with a nondirectional structure, capable of taking a high polish, and often irregularly veined and colored by impurities. White marble has been quarried in Greece, Italy, Turkey, India, China, and the USA. Among the most renowned sources has been the quarries of Carrara in the Apuan Alps of Italy. Confusingly, the name marble is sometimes used to refer to any stone that takes a polish, although such stones may include alabasters, granites, and serpentines, as well as true marbles.

More technically, marble is a limestone that has crystallized due to a metamorphical process over a very long period of time, ranging from 7 to 120 million years. The Marble Institute of America has assigned group classifications for soundness and working qualities. We repeat, working qualities only.

"D" marbles can be and are generally more decorative and more expensive than "A" marbles.

Group A - Sound marbles with uniform, favorable working qualities.

Group B - Marbles similar in character to the proceeding group, but working qualities somewhat less favorable; occasional natural faults, limited amount of waxing and sticking necessary.

Group C - Marbles of uncertain variations in working qualities, somewhat less favorable working qualities; geological flaws, voids, veins, and lines of separation.

Tips for Cleaning & Maintaining Marble and Other Natural Stone Keep surfaces dust free. Dust mop regularly with soft, clean, lint free mop. Clean carefully with water and a mild neutral ph cleanser specifically developed for stone surfaces. (Acidity/alkalinity-or even abrasives - in ordinary cleansers may cause etching or scratching) This is the best product to use stone dressing Use a separate mop/cloth, specifically reserved for stone. Change mop water frequently. Tend to spills immediately. Use mats at entrances to trap dirt, sand, gravel, etc. Polish, rather than wax, with a polishing system suited to your particular type of stone. That is practically all there is to marble cleaning in it's basic form. Obviously this is just a simple cleaning guide. If your floors require more than this, you really need to get help from specialists or company of stone care.

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