How to identify genuine marble
Marble has brought elegance and class to homes, commercial building, castles and so on for centuries. In recent times, the love for marble has grew to furniture and now fashion accessories and clothing designs. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the product, there are many limitations to its usage which is why we have a mixture of faux marble. It can be difficult to tell if you are looking at authentic marble, faux marble or simple a print. Modern imitative materials can replicate the exact look and functionality of marble. Man-made marble has its own beauty and value -- but you may want to know when you're looking at the real thing. Learning the characteristics of marble will help you identify it on sight.
Marble is a metamorphic rock that is created when limestone is subjected to a considerable amount of heat and pressure within the earth's crust, making it a dense and durable material. It gets its unique coloring, textures and veins from the metamorphic change that the limestone undergoes regarding its marble effect and mineral composition. Basically, marble undergoes a re-crystallization process wherein fossil materials and other sundry elements and minerals are heated and pressurized, creating the stone.
Difference Between Fake And Real Marble Tiles
Once we understand how real marble is formed, we can get a better understanding why the patterns are so random, so different and never ever the same. This is one of the most unique part of marble and why we love it. Everyone wants to have their own identity and be different. Marble can provide the elegance and beauty, but at the same time not be the same as the person next to you.
The veins and swirls present in many marble pieces occur when various mineral impurities mix with the original limestone. From discrete cream veins in white Carrara marble to violet, red or blue veins in yellow Sienna marble, natural marble will show its impurities through long sinewy streaks. Manufactured materials can imitate a swirled, veined look, but will not show the depth and dimension that the naturally occurring veining in marble does.
The glossiness of a true marble is one of its most desirable attributes and distinguishable characteristics and can't be sustainably imitated.
Fake Marble
These days imitation marble does a great job at copying the beauty of marble and allowing it to be more affordable than the real thing. Whether it's engineered marble or high quality printing like the above photo.
But there are characteristics that our technology still can't copy.
To experienced and knowledgable marble lovers, it's the feel, the touch and the minor flaws that are inherent in each real marble that makes the difference between real marble and fake marble.
However, the simplest test to determine real marble and fake marble is it's appearance. As we know how marble is formed now, we understand the basic that each pattern is always different.
The problem with printed and or engineered marble is that it is machine and mass produced. So every pattern is exactly the same as attached above.
Both options are great! If you just want the beauty and look of marble without having to spend too much. Faux marble is a great option. If you want to spend a little more and have a product/design that will never be the same as another person, then real marble is probably worth your money.
Example: Look at the veining of these different marble accessories. They are similar, yet they vary in it's own way. Just like how we are all humans, but even twins have their differences.
Hope you enjoyed the article!
With the rise of Chinese factories swapping original Italian marble with China marble, it's maybe good to know how to identify real Italian Carrara Marble from Chinese Carrara Marble.
Here is another article on how to identify the origin of marble
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
