How Can You Distinguish Natural Marble from Other Natural Stones?
Natural stones may all seem the same. They all have a color pattern with some veins running all over them. But the truth is that there are multiple natural stones. Now add the manufactured ones to see the full spectrum of stones that we can see on the market. While it is wise to rely on your manufacturer’s words, there are some ways to check a random piece of stone. Marble and crystal marble, quartz, limestone, and granite are some of the kinds of stones. They use these natural stones as tabletops, wall matches, and in all the other possible areas. So, let us dive into the world of the natural stones’ distinguishable features.
Natural Marbles and Manufactured Marble
Natural marble has an eye-catching shine. This effect is stimulated through the use of other minerals in manufactured ones. For example, they may add some amounts of glass to mimic the same shine. Still, this shine is more durable and different from marbles found in mother nature. Also, another factor that makes marbles so popular is their versatility. Often it is easy to carve and shape natural marble. The material is softer than granites. So, try to scratch a part of the stone. Preferably do this on an unwanted piece of the stone or the back of it. It should scratch. If it does not, then it could be manufactured marble or granite.
Marble and Granites
One thing that distinguishes these two natural stones is their veins. Some granites may have veins intertwined on their surface. But these veins are different under closer inspection from those found on marbles. The veins of marbles are more distinct and apparent, while those on granites tend to be grainier and blurry. Other than the veins, the other difference also shows itself on the surface. Often on marbles, we can see through the stone a little. It is not like they are see-through completely. But a few inner layers may be visible to our eyes. We can not detect this apparency in granites. Compared with marbles, granites are more opaque.
Quartz and Marble
Quartz itself is a natural stone. But to make it suitable for countertops, they add some other materials to them. They could add some marbles or granites inside them. After that, these stones are considered to be engineered. If we were to look at the marble and a quartz countertop, the marble would have more random veins. The pattern of veins in quartz is more repeated and less random. Because humans determine and make these designs. However, the advancements in this industry may make it harder to tell whether these veins are designed or natural. So, it can be harder to distinguish these stones from one another.
The best way to tell the different kinds of stones is to run laboratory tests. Stone manufacturers and those in the hold of quarries will run these tests to become sure of the quality of their stones. So, it is best to rely on their experience and test results. But if you are not sure if a random slab of stone is marble or not, you may use some of the mentioned ways and hacks.
