Marble, a wonder of nature
Marble, a wonder of nature
Marble: the word comes from ancient Greece. “Marmaron” or “marmaros” was, and still is, the Greek symbol for a shining, crystalline stone. The English use the word “marble”, which means “shines like”, and borrowed it from the French, who call marble “marbre”. Our southern neighbours chose the words “mermer” and “mramor”. Very different cultures, but very similar names. All of them describe a distinctive natural stone with a shimmering structure, seen as a symbol of lasting refinement and luxury.
Marble and its structure
Marble is limestone that formed through metamorphism below the earth's surface. High pressure and temperature gave it its remarkable lustre and a distinctive range of colours. Experts even say that marble comes from the oldest parts of the earth's crust, which is very likely why it is so resistant and durable in all weather. Marble starts life as limestone or dolomite, and pressure and heat then turn it into a harder, denser and more colourful stone.
Small crystals hidden in the structure of marble are the main reason it comes in so many colours: white, grey, black, pink, blue, red and even green. These colours are what make this natural stone so popular around the world, because it can be matched to any design and material. Its key components are calcite, dolomite crystals and aragonite. Its remarkable shine comes from polishing. That is why everyone links it with luxury, beauty and refinement.
The history of marble
The Taj Mahal mausoleum is listed among UNESCO's seven wonders as “the jewel of Islamic architecture and a much admired monument of world heritage”. The Taj Mahal is built entirely of fine marble, a material in use for more than 2,000 years. This shows that marble is a truly durable and stable natural stone, as the rich history of many other works of art and architecture also proves.
Sculptors love it for its “warmth” and its beautiful milky colour. Michelangelo chose pure white marble for his sculptures because it is translucent: light actually travels about 1 cm below the surface before it is reflected. This is why his statues look as if they were alive. In New York, 530,000 cubic metres of marble were used to build the library. Staff had to wear flat-soled shoes so they would not scratch the precious stone by accident. From an architectural point of view, marble can be worked in every way, which makes it ideal for decorating and building your home, not only world landmarks.
Marble trends
Growing awareness is leading people into a new ecological era, which includes natural materials and so also natural stone. Trends in architecture, both broadly and locally, call for natural materials. Marble is used to cover walls and floors and for indoor and outdoor stairs. Marble-clad columns inside your home add exclusivity and lift the quality of the whole room. Traditionally we use it for floor and wall cladding in bathrooms, as marble tiles come in different shapes and sizes.
Whichever type of marble you choose, you will give your home a striking, refined look.
Sculptors love it for its “warmth” and its beautiful milky colour. Michelangelo chose pure white marble for his sculptures because it is translucent: light actually travels about 1 cm below the surface before it is reflected. This is why his statues look as if they were alive. In New York, 530,000 cubic metres of marble were used to build the library. Staff had to wear flat-soled shoes so they would not scratch the precious stone by accident. From an architectural point of view, marble can be worked in every way, which makes it ideal for decorating and building your home, not only world landmarks.
If you are worried about care, you can relax, as marble is very easy to look after. In fact, if we look closely, it needs practically none.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Marble was used to make the iPhone 7.
- Some companies make spectacle frames from marble.
- Powdered marble is also used in pharmacy to treat excess acid and as a source of calcium.
- Marble is a hypoallergenic material, so it is a popular choice for people with allergies and families with small children.
- No two marble slabs in the world are alike. That is what makes this stone so special.