High Profile Marble Uses

Marble Properties

There aren’t many rock substances that have been used as much as marble. It is used in sculptures, architecture, and many other areas. It also adds optical properties to paint, paper, and cosmetics. The stone is abundant and a low-cost commodity that can even be used to prepare construction projects. The unique properties make the rock valuable in a number of ways. Here are just a few high profile areas that have utilized marble.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is one of the most famous buildings in the world. It was built around 1632 as a mausoleum and marble was used extensively throughout the structure. You will especially see it in the domes and towers.

Supreme Court Building

This building went up in 1932 and uses several different types of marble both inside and out. The inner courtyards are created from bright white marble from Georgia while the interior halls and corridors are made from creamy white marble that comes from Alabama. Vermont marble is extensive on the outside.

The Washington Monument

This monument was constructed starting in 1848 and the initial work was done with marble from a quarry in Texas. The project was delayed for 30 years because of funding shortfalls, but when it began again in 1876, the same type of marble was no longer available so stones were chosen from Massachusetts instead. Stones were not delivered in a timely manner so a quarry near Baltimore, Maryland took over and started using stones with a slightly darker marble tint. You can see the difference in the stones on the monument still today.

The Lincoln Memorial

This memorial was built starting in 1914 and while many different stones are used, marble is one of them. Lincoln himself is made from bright white marble from Georgia while the interior walls are limestone.

The Bust Of Artemis

Marble is a rather translucent stone that allows light to enter and give off a pleasing, soft glow. It can be highly polished, which makes it a beautiful stone for sculptures. The stone is soft enough and easy to sculpt and it also has uniform properties in every direction. Some of the most famous sculptures in the world are made from marble, such as the bust of the Greek goddess Artemis.

Marble Properties

Though most of these buildings and sculptures contain lighter colors of marble, it is available in a wide range of colors. Marble that forms from the purest limestone is white. Iron oxide can add impurities to the limestone and give the marble a pink, red, yellow, or orange color. Clay minerals can also mix with the stone and produce gray tints. If there are a lot of bituminous materials in the marble, it will be black or dark gray. Stones that contain serpentine will have a green tint to them.

Everyday Marble Uses

Marble has become a very popular stone in many modern homes. Homeowners use it for flooring, countertops, fireplace mantels, staircases, porch columns, and in many other areas.