Marble is created when limestone or dolomite is subjected to intense heat and pressure at tectonic plate boundaries, a process called metamorphism. The heat causes minerals in the stone to grow larger and fuse together, resulting in a crystalline texture with distinctive veins and swirls.
The calcite crystal is the basic building block of true marbles. The calcite crystal is vulnerable to attack by mild acids, including those commonly found in kitchen and bar settings. The user selecting marble for these applications should be aware of, and accepting of the maintenance and patina that is to be anticipated with this combination.
