The Formation of Marble Veinings

Whether you're choosing a marble for your home and building, you'll need to understand the formation of marble veining in order to make the right selection. Marble veining is one of the most popular patterns in stone. In fact, many people want to see this beautiful feature on their countertop.

A marble vein is created when the crystallization of minerals occurs within a rock. It's a characteristic that adds elegance and a luxurious look to the surface of the stone. These veins can come in a variety of colors and can be seen in the original limestone or transformed into marble.

There are many different veins in a marble, including the crack-seal growth vein. These occur when the material fractures. This often creates large open spaces inside the rock.

The voids are filled with super-saturated mineral solutions. This process continues over time. The mineral solutions will eventually dissolve and leave behind pits and veins. Depending on the ambient temperature, the rate of chemical reaction will increase. This can cause the loss of minerals that are veining the marble.

Some of the natural deterioration agents that affect marble include rainwater, air gases, and temperatures. If left out in the elements, the marble will start to fade in color and lose luster.

Veining is also caused by impurities in the stone. These may be shards of metal or metal oxides. Dirt can also embed itself into the marble's porous surface. This can result in a dull, gray or bluish color.