The word ‘marble’ (marmaro) is translated from the ancient Greek as ‘shiny stone’. Ancient Greeks and Romans fully appreciated the merits of this material. It is durable, but not too hard (it does not scratch glass), so it is easily workable. Statues, pillars and altars carved several thousand years ago still amaze the viewer with impeccable perfection of forms and seem to emit soft light.
In ancient times, marble was believed to have magical properties. Marble amulets were expected to protect from dark witchcraft, calm their owners, pacify jealousy and anger, and help find true love. In India, every family still has at least one small marble figurine. It is believed that this stone attracts welfare into the house and protects against quarrels.
Marble formed from recrystallized limestone. The process of recrystallization is called metamorphism, and marble is referred to as metamorphic rocks. It consists mainly of calcium carbonate (calcite, CaCO3). Sometimes marble is formed as a result of recrystallization of magnesium-calcium carbonate (dolomite, CaMg (CO3)2).
Pure calcite and dolomite marble is white. If during recrystallization the rock contains admixtures of some other substances, they affect the color of the marble. For example, iron oxide, depending on the concentration, makes marble pink or red, bitumen and graphite give gray, blue and black tinges.
In the Kemerovo region, there is Kara-Chumysh deposit of marbled limestone, discovered in 1953. Marble of red, white-pink and bluish-pink colors is mined in the valley of the Kara-Chumysh River. However, the explored area is relatively small, with untouched deposits northeast of it.
The local marble is fine-grained, with very rare inclusions of shells of fossil mollusks. Large blocks are cut out from the monolithic rock; sometimes their length reaches 3 m. Next to the quarry, a stone processing plant has been arranged. At the enterprise, small fragments of marble are crushed into chips which are then sold to building contractors and to sculpture workshops of funeral companies.
Marble chips are used as filler for colored concrete. Bathtubs and washbasins are made from cast marble. Natural pink marble, as in ancient times, is considered aristocratic material. It is used for decoration of public and private buildings, metro stations. Small pieces are good for souvenirs and jewelry.
In ancient times, marble was believed to have magical properties. Marble amulets were expected to protect from dark witchcraft, calm their owners, pacify jealousy and anger, and help find true love. In India, every family still has at least one small marble figurine. It is believed that this stone attracts welfare into the house and protects against quarrels.
Marble formed from recrystallized limestone. The process of recrystallization is called metamorphism, and marble is referred to as metamorphic rocks. It consists mainly of calcium carbonate (calcite, CaCO3). Sometimes marble is formed as a result of recrystallization of magnesium-calcium carbonate (dolomite, CaMg (CO3)2).
Pure calcite and dolomite marble is white. If during recrystallization the rock contains admixtures of some other substances, they affect the color of the marble. For example, iron oxide, depending on the concentration, makes marble pink or red, bitumen and graphite give gray, blue and black tinges.
In the Kemerovo region, there is Kara-Chumysh deposit of marbled limestone, discovered in 1953. Marble of red, white-pink and bluish-pink colors is mined in the valley of the Kara-Chumysh River. However, the explored area is relatively small, with untouched deposits northeast of it.
The local marble is fine-grained, with very rare inclusions of shells of fossil mollusks. Large blocks are cut out from the monolithic rock; sometimes their length reaches 3 m. Next to the quarry, a stone processing plant has been arranged. At the enterprise, small fragments of marble are crushed into chips which are then sold to building contractors and to sculpture workshops of funeral companies.
Marble chips are used as filler for colored concrete. Bathtubs and washbasins are made from cast marble. Natural pink marble, as in ancient times, is considered aristocratic material. It is used for decoration of public and private buildings, metro stations. Small pieces are good for souvenirs and jewelry.
