Description
Marble is a metamorphic rock that forms when limestone is subjected to the heat and pressure of metamorphism. It is ‘composed primarily of the mineral calcite (CaC03) and usually contains other minerals, such as clay minerals, micas, quartz, pyrite, iron oxides, and graphite. Under the conditions of metamorphism, the calcite in the limestone recrystallises to form a rock that is a mass of interlocking calcite crystals.
Uses
Very few rocks have as many uses as marble. It is used for its beauty in architecture and sculpture, its chemical properties in pharmaceuticals and agriculture and its optical properties in cosmetics, paint and paper. It is also used because it is an abundant, low-cost commodity in crushed stone prepared for construction projects.
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