Marble

10-35 usd/kg
Circularity potential
Very high
Strength
Medium
Production energy
Ultra low
Stiffness
Medium
Embodied CO2
Ultra low
Density
High

Marble is a metamorphic rock, formed when limestone is exposed to high temperatures and pressures, and the calcite that makes up the limestone recrystallises and forms a denser rock. The colour of marble is the result of small amounts of impurities in the rock, which is determined by the geology of a location. Hence, regions and mines become known for specific colours and striation. Even though it is found all over the globe, the majority comes from Italy, China, India, and Spain.

Occasionally, the formation of marble from limestone does not completely destroy all of the fossilised organic structures, and they remain a visible part of the stone. And impurities present in the limestone react during metamorphism to form minerals, such as pale-green talc, black or grey graphite, and brown limonite.


Sustainability concerns
Non-renewable ingredients
Raw material generates polluting by-products
Low circularity potential


With its smooth surface, translucent lustre, striking veins and colour variation, marble has been applied as a symbol of luxury throughout history. It is used in sculpture, buildings, floors, interiors, countertops and furniture. Its relative softness allows for it to be carved into monuments and sculpture with relative ease compared to some other stones.

Marble has good resistance to abrasion as a result of the strength of bond between the crystals. However, in application its softness coupled with surface porosity are its drawback. It is much more easily stained and damaged than hard non-porous stone, like granite. It also reacts with acids, such as vinegar and cleaning agents, and so is not suitable for kitchens and other environments where it will come into contact with strong chemicals.

It is often clear-coated when used in table tops and other surfaces where it will be exposed to food, wear and abrasion. If not protected, the surface will quickly develop a patina of stains and scratches (which may be desirable, of course).

There are many different types of marble, often named after the mine they are quarried from. Bianco Carrara comes from Italy and is perhaps one of the most famous. Used in Michelangelo’s David, it is almost pure and a brilliant white with light grey veins. It is graded according to it whiteness. Some other white marbles include Calacatta (Italy), with light grey and golden veins, but also in many other colour ways, such as Calacatta Viola with rich red veins and Calacatta Cream with golden colouring; Statuarietto (Italy) with grey veins; Arabescato (Italy) with contrasting grey veins of varying thickness; Bianco Lasa (Italy) with chunky bluish-grey veins; Macael White (Spain), a popular almost pure marble like Carrara; Calacatta Lincoln (US), named after its use in the Lincoln Memorial Centre is white with light grey-silver veins; Polaris (Greece), also known as Kavala, is sought after for its clean white appearance; and Thassos White (Greece), which is one of the whitest marbles with almost no impurities or marking.

Beige coloured marbles tend to be mottled with a more homogenous appearance and less distinctive veins, such as Moscato Beige and Boticcino, both from Italy. There also exists blue, green, Pink (such as Rosa Portogallo, Italy), brown and yellow marbles, with intense and variegated colour.

Grey marbles include Pietra Grey (Italy) with white veins; Pacific Grey (Brazil) that is mottles with thin white veins; Fior di Bosco (Italy), which includes amber and white; and Picasso Grey (Turkey) with its dramatic grey veins on a light grey background.

Black marbles include a range of dark and dramatic colour ways, which can resemble granite, including Marquina Black (Spain), probably the most familiar of the black varieties with its distinctive thin white veins; Portoro (Italy) is one of the most expensive marbles, with gold veins; Saint Laurent (France) with gold and white veins.


Design properties
Cost usd/kg
10-35
Embodied energy MJ/kg
0.3-3.3
Carbon footprint kgCO2e/kg
0.01-0.6
Density kg/m3
2500-2700
Tensile modulus GPa
9-30
Tensile strength MPa
2.4-24.5
Flexural strength MPa
2.7-28
Shear modulus GPa
27
Compressive strength MPa
33-210
Hardness Mohs
3
Poissons ratio
0.2
Thermal expansion (µm/m)/ºC
10.1
Thermal conductivity W/mK
2-3.1
Temperature min-max °C
-250 to 400
Thermal
insulator
Electrical
insulator