Travertine Information and Formation by Joey Lewitin

Travertine Information and Formation by Joey Lewitin

Travertine

Travertine is one of the most beautiful, versatile, and historically important stones. Its durability makes it highly useful in building applications, and it has been used in this manner since the Roman Empire.

Formation
Travertine is a form of limestone that is heavily compacted. Generally it is formed when minerals in streams or hot spring water become deposited on river beds and dry out. If the chemical composition has enough of the mineral calcium carbonate in it, then the result is considered to be travertine.

Coloration
In its purest form travertine is a very pale color, however imperfections in its structural make up, such as the presence of iron, can cause beautifully colorful banding to occur across its face. Different colors are caused by different minerals, and different shapes are formed in the stone dependant on how the impurity combines with its structure. Since the imperfections show up semi-randomly, no two pieces ever look exactly alike. It is however grouped into quarry names where similar strains of the marble taken from similar places are classified into categories.

Uses
Travertine is often used in counter tops, flooring, to resurface structures, and in cobble stoning. It is also used in a number of unique stone home furnishings. It is not as hard as quartzite, or as smooth as marble, although it can take a honed finish. Travertine is also available as Tufa, and as onyx, a semi translucent stone.

Travertine is mined heavily in Italy, the U.S. and turkey. Historically it was used by the Romans, Byzantines, and ottoman empires in their ancient architecture. Today it is widely used both indoor and outdoor and is one of the most versatile components available on the market. It is easy to maintain and clean, it is durable, reliable, and it doesnt show dirt very much.


About the Author
Joey Lewitin is an author and webmaster who runs a site that offers his Decorative stone wall clocks and
rustic stone home decor gifts and furnishings

Marble Stone of Elegance - Information and Facts by Joey Lewitin

Marble Stone of Elegance - Information and Facts by Joey Lewitin

MarbleStone of Elegance
Information and Facts

By Joey Lewitin

Marble is one of the most sophisticated of stones. It is generally smooth and polished, although it can come in a rough texture. Its use historically is very widespread in both art and architecture.

Formation

Marble is a kind of limestone that has undergone a process which has made the structure of the rock more solid. This process allows the stone to take a high polish. This stone is generally formed when limestone is faced with extremes of pressure or temperature that cause it to undergo a process known as metamorphism. When Metamorphism occurs the structure of the limestone becomes crystal in nature, transforming into calcite or dolomite. These two substances are the main materials in marble. The crystal is a very strong molecular form and the result of this is a stronger, highly polish-able stone, with unique coloring characteristics often known as Marbling.

Coloring
The many colors of marble are induced when impurities get caught in the structure of the marble during formation. Impurities such as carbon, iron, and various oxides cause streaks and shapes to appear in the surface of the stone. There are an enormous variety of impurities that can become trapped in the marble. The result is that marble comes in a very wide range of colors. Further, the way the impurities become trapped form randomized shapes in the marble which ensure that any piece of the stone is one of a kind. It is this feature that inspired many artists to work with marble as a medium.

History
The ancient Greeks and Romans both used marble expansively. The Greeks built many of their famous architectural masterpieces using Pentelic marble. They carved many of the most famous statues in history from other Greek marbles. When the Roman Empire rose it conquered the Greek quarries, as well as many others quarries in various countries and used marble in many of their architectural and artistic endeavors as well. Marble is often associated with the Hellenic and Classical time period for these reasons.

Today
Today marble is used in stone home furnishings, floors, counters, clocks, hot plates, tables, pillars, structural resurfacing, even bathroom applications. It can be found in almost every country in the world. Its style and versatility make it one of the ideal choices for building materials and structural supply.

About the Author
Joey Lewitin is an author, a designer, and an artist. Check his website to see some of his creations such as a variety of Decorative unique wall clocks and
rustic stone furnishings, and gifts