Before knowing anything about Green Marble, we must be accustomed to Marble, as a basic and geological term. In geology, marble is a metamorphic rock. When metamorphism of sedimentary carbonate rocks takes place in the crust of Earth due to contact of hot magma, the calcite rocks such as limestone or dolomites are turned into marble. The crystallization of carbonate minerals along with clay, quartz, pyrites, graphite, and iron oxides are forming an interlocking mess of mosaics and veins in marble.
What Is Green Marble?
During the metamorphism processes of marble rocks, a group of common minerals such as serpentine [hydrous magnesium iron phyllosilicate ((Mg, Fe) 3Si2O5(OH)4)] along with minor amounts of chromium, manganese, cobalt or nickel like mineral elements resulting into green colored marble with typical textures and colors.
Physical Properties:
|
Chemical Properties:
|
| Hardness |
3 to 4 on Mohr’s scale |
Silica |
38 to 40% |
| Density |
2.5 to 2.65 kg/m3 |
Magnesium oxide |
34 to 38% |
| Compressive strength |
1800 to 2100 kg/cm3 |
Alumina |
2 to 3% |
| Water absorption capacity |
Less than 1% |
Iron oxides |
5 to 6% |
| Porosity |
Low |
Calcium oxide |
1 to 2% |
| Weather impact |
Resistant |
|
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What Is Green Marble Called?
Any rock, which passed through crystallization of the carbonate process through metamorphism or not, but capable of accepting polish & have green pigmentations/colors is called Green Marble. Therefore, green travertine like limestone rocks, Cippolino, Verde Antigua, Verde Guatemala like calcite-based rocks, and many other serpentines containing rocks also called Green Marble by most of the modern stonemasons.
In short, all green marbles are not truly marble by definition in geology, but still beautiful and though to use those mimicking marbles.
Due to high serpentine content in the green marble stones, it is considering the hardest marble types in the world, and the same notion has increased the use of green marble in all regions of the planet.
Where Is Green Marble Found?
In the world, green marbles are available in nearly 38 countries including China, Italy, India, Greece, Turkey, Sweden, and Guatemala. Out of these Kolmarden in the North-East of Ostergotland in Sweden is the best source of the hardest green marble.
Today, India is ranking high in quantity and quality of green marble supply across the world including its domestic market. In India Aravali mountain range (South-West Rajasthan) is a vast area where the big deposits of high-quality green marble found and nearly 300 quarries out of 2000 total quarries are operating since late 70’s era.
It is estimated that the total production of marbles in India is more than 20, 00,000 K tons per annum. Therefore, it is considered as one of the top marble producer and exporter countries in the world.
Green Marble Texture & Taxonomy
Marble experts divide green marbles into two major categories:
- Foliated or flower structured green marble stones
- Non-foliated or plain green marble with a green background and white veins.
Let’s see some details of different types of green marble commonly used in the industry.
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