Marble is one of the most beautiful ornamental stones known. These stones are used to create a different look in many interiors. The wide variety of designs and colors makes them attractive for a variety of styles.

What has attracted the most attention from marbles is their intricate designs and natural colors. There are more than 40 types of marble for interior decoration, each with a different color and shape from other marbles. In this article, we will examine the reasons that led to the creation of these differences;

What we need to know about marble

First of all, it is better to get acquainted with marble, its specifications and applications. Marble, or marble, is derived from the Greek word marmarom, meaning crystal clear stone.

This type of rock is composed of CaMg (CO₃) dolomite metamorphism or limestone at high temperature and pressure. Marbles classified into different categories in terms of strength and other mechanical properties.

Some marbles have high strength and resistance. Therefore, they are suitable for installation in the exterior of the building. But another group of these ornamental rocks will erode and change color when exposed to moisture, pollution and destructive environmental factors. Therefore, these marbles are mostly used indoors. The construction of the statue, the interior and exterior of the building are the main uses of marble.

Why does marble have different colors?

Given the variety of colors in marbles, the question arises as to what are the causes of color differences? To answer this question accurately, it is necessary to examine the influential factors in this phenomenon.

The rocks extracted from different regions show that factors such as the geographical area of ​​the quarry and the composition of the raw materials affect the properties of the formed marble. In fact, these minerals cause pigmentation in marbles. The intensity of the colors also indicates the percentage of the constituents of the stone.

Currently, marbles extracted from various quarries around the world have white, green, yellow, black, red, pink, and so on. Marble is usually a light-colored rock formed by the transformation of limestone or dolomite. The presence of various impurities such as clay, iron oxides, silica, sulfur, bitumen, graphite, etc. in the composition of limestone leads to changes in the color and design of the altered rock.

Factors affecting the formation of color in marbles

The beautiful and amazing designs and colors that you see in marbles are formed as a result of the presence of impurities as well as the physical conditions of the environment. In the following, each of these factors is examined;

- Impurities: One of the most important factors is impurities. Any mineral found in the composition of limestone or dolomite is known as impurities;

-Iron oxide: The cause of yellow and brown dyes in marbles is iron oxide. It has two 2-capacity and 3-capacity oxides, each of which has a different color.

- Iron and Feldspar: The combination of these two impurities forms pink and red. The final color will vary depending on how much of each is present in the dolomite. An increase in the percentage of marble iron tends to red background and an increase in rock feldspar. The intensity of each of these colors also indicates the high level of these impurities.

-Serpentine: Sarpentine is a group of green minerals that contain different amounts of iron, nickel, manganese, zinc, magnesium and silicon in their structure. Now the presence of this group of minerals in the composition of limestone creates a wide range of green colors.

-Porphyry: Porphyry is a group of igneous rocks. It is made up of coarse-grained crystals such as feldspar or quartz, which are dispersed in a silicate-rich field. These compounds cause purple color in marbles.

-Sulfur: Although it is removed at high temperatures, it is one of the reasons for the yellow and brown color in marbles.

-Bitumen and graphite: The presence of any of the compounds of graphite, bitumen and coal in limestone is a factor in causing opacity in marbles. Black marbles are one of the most beautiful and luxurious ornamental stones formed as a result of the transformation of graphite and limestone.

- Chromium: The presence of golden streaks in some types of marbles indicates the presence of chromium in the composition of limestone or dolomite.

-Manganese: This element is present in varying amounts in some marble stones. Experts recognize the presence of this element on the veins and purple pattern in the appearance of marble.

In addition to the impurities mentioned, many other minerals may be present in the composition of limestone. The interaction of these minerals in different parts of the globe leads to the formation of marbles of different colors and patterns.

Heat: Because marble is formed in deep of the earth, it is exposed to significant heat from the earth. This heat can break many bonds and change the structure of materials. As a result, we can see different colors of marble at any depth of the earth.

- Pressure: Accumulation of limestone and other minerals over time leads to excessive pressure on the rocks below. The two factors of pressure and heat exacerbate the conditions for limestone transformation.

- Time: Depending on how long it has been since the burial of the carbonate material, the color and appearance and even the mechanical properties of the marble will be different.