Marble: History, Origin, Use

It’s true, you’ve always dreamed of having a beautiful kitchen, a stylish bathroom, or even a grand marble entrance hall like in those luxurious homes we often admire… But do you know where this beautiful stone comes from?

Marble, as you probably already know, is a fairly hard rock that comes in a variety of colors (white, grey, pink, red, blue, black, green, brown…). And for as long as we can remember, humans have used this rock to create sculptures and to adorn the most important buildings.

In everyday language, marble can refer to a wide range of rocks, but to a geologist, marble is one specific and well-defined type of stone. The term “marbled” or “marbling” also refers to the veining typical of marble, and it’s even used to describe things like chocolate and vanilla marble cake.

The Formation of Marble

Marble was formed from limestone that settled at the bottom of the seas between 330 and 380 million years ago. Over time, these deposits created Hercynian islands. True marble only formed once the limestone fully crystallized under pressure, heat, and vapors—a process known as metamorphism.

Marble never contains fossils, but you may find garnets and pyrite within it. However, in marbles formed more recently, some marine fossils may occasionally appear.

Marble Deposits

A marble deposit is a quarry where marble is extracted, and they exist all around the world.

The ancient Greeks were among the first to recognize the beauty of this stone for both sculpture and architecture—think of the Acropolis, for example.

The major ancient quarries were located in Attica, home to a stunning white marble.

Another highly regarded marble came from the Cyclades islands, known for its fine grain and brilliant polish.

The Romans favored the famous Carrara marble, found in Tuscany.

In Belgium, near Dinant in Wallonia, black or red marble can be found. In France, green serpentine marble is quarried in the Aosta region.

As you can see, our ancestors made no mistake when they chose to use this beautiful stone for their finest statues and monuments. Follow their example—opt for a stone that stands the test of time and consider installing a marble countertop or renovating your bathroom entirely in marble.

If you’re ready to take the next step, get in touch with us or come visit our showroom. And if you go with this beautiful natural stone, don’t forget to read our tips on how to properly care for marble!