STONE COLORS

As discussed previously, stone was formed from different types of

natural minerals. Marble's main consistency is calcium. Calcium

carbonate is the natural source that bonds the stone. Certain additive

minerals blended in to the calcium during formation to customize these

brilliant colors. The additive minerals are also color developers

present in granite and other natural stones.

Stone Color: Mineral:

Black Biotite, Hornblende, Carbon

Brown Limonite

Gray Variety of minerals

Green Mica, Chloride, Silicate

Red Hematite

White Feldspar, Calcite, Dolomite.

Yellow Limonite

Mineral: Mineral Color:

Augite Brown, Green, Black, Purple

Biotite Black, Brown, Green

Calcite Pearlenscent and Pale Colors

Dolomite Colorless, Pink, Pale Brown

Feldspar Yellow, White, Pink, Green, Grey

Hematite Metallic Grey or Black

Hornblende Green, Yellow, Brown, Black

Limonite Black, Brown, or Yellow

Sulphur Pale Gold

Minerals have a variety of crystalline properties. A different property

has a different color. For instance, Augite (listed above) has different

crystalline properties. Each property has its own color. Stones

brilliant colors and various crystal formations developed when different

mineral properties blended together along with the integration of

temperature and pressure.

The veins and color grains of marble were liquid minerals that flowed

through the stone when the Earth heated up. The intense heat softened

the limestone to allow the liquids to flow through it. When the Earth

cooled, the mineral flow stopped and gradually hardened to its current

state.

The delicate colors of stone can often be altered by the improper use of

cleaning chemicals, mopping with dirty solution, using chemicals that

are not designed for stone care, and sunlight can fade the color of

natural minerals.