Marble
Image: James St. John (CC BY 2.0)
Mineral NameMarble
Chemical FormulaPrimarily CaCO3 (calcite) with Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 (serpentine) and other silicates
Mohs Hardness3
Crystal Systemtrigonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
CleavagePerfect rhombohedral (from calcite)
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity2.7
Colorsgreen, white, grey, black, brown
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityConnemara, Lissoughter, Ireland
Mineral GroupMetamorphic rock (primarily Carbonate with Silicate components)
Usesdecorative stone, building material, sculpture, jewelry
Associated Mineralscalcite, serpentine, dolomite, diopside, tremolite, talc
Rarityuncommon
Description
This image displays a polished surface of Connemara marble, characterized by prominent bands and patches of vibrant lime green, interspersed with areas of white, grey, and some darker specks, exhibiting a fine-grained texture.
Geological Context
Connemara marble is a metamorphosed limestone or dolostone, specifically an Ordovician calcsilicate marble (ophicalcite), formed under regional metamorphism in the Connemara region of Ireland.
