In Geology "marble" is defined as "a metamorphic rock consisting predominantly of fine -to coarse- grained recrystallized calcite and/or dolomite, usually with a granoblastic, saccharoidal texture". But "marble" in commerce groups also many other rocks that differ from the above metiones definition. Most of these are sedimentary carbonatic rocks, limestones or dolostones more or less recrystallized or marmoreal, but many other do not belong to the same genetic group, for example certain serpentines are known commercially as "green marble".
Spanish marbles "sensu stricto" outcrop in the metamorphic areas of the Hesperian Massif (Western Iberian Peninsula), Betic Range (Southeastern Spain) and in a small area in the Axial Zone of the Pyrenees (Northeast Spain). This marbles are ancient rocks dating from the Precambrian to the Paleozoic ages.
Marmoreal limestones and dolostones crop widely in the externs extension of the Pyrenees (Basque-Cantabrian Basin), in the Central Prepyrenee, in the Eastern Iberian Range and in the Betic Ranges, this rock are younger than the marbles, mainly from Jurasic-Cretacic age, although the marmoreal black limestones in the Pyrenees are of carboniferous age (Paleozoic) and the travertines and false agate are very modern (Quaternary).
Alabaster, wich is not a carbonatic rock, but a scarce variety of gypsum, is exploited in the Ebro valley and its age is Tertiary (upper Oligocene). Its inclusion in this catalogue is due to the fact that the word alabaster, from ancient times, designates two different minerals: calcite (calcareous alabaster) and gypsum (gypsum alabaster). Spanish alabaster is employed specially in sculpture and interior ornamentation, and most of the production is being exported.
The extraction and treatment of marbles and marmoreal limestones is an economical activity of first order in Spain. The production value of the materials has grown four times in the last few years. Taking account of this the I.T.G.E. presents this new catalogue as an updated and enlarged revision of that published in 1986, already out of print.
This catalogue has a first part, wich includes the historical aspects of the use of marble in architecture and sculpture, a general map with the location of the spanish quarries and a brief description of the tests this materials should be subjected to for its technological characterization. You can find also the files for each catalogued variety, with a photography and their technological characteristics and classification.
This catalogue is mainly technical and divulgative, and the information there in contained was selected with objective criteria and it is independent of commercial interests.
Alabastro
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Zaragoza/Teruel |
| TOWNSHIP | Quinto/Azaila |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Ornamental industrial mineral, compact and homogeneous with marmoraceous aspect, usually white and translucent.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| Gipsum. | Anhydrite, Celestine, phyllosilicates. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Alabastrine texture with allotriomorphic and subidiomorphic crystals (25um-1 mm), porphyroblasts and recrystallization evidences.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 1,93 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,15% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,20% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | - |
| BENDING STRENGTH | - |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | - |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | - |
| KNOOP MICROHARNESS | 47 Kg/cm2 |
Albi Gris
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Guipuzcoa |
| TOWNSHIP | Deba |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Medium-fine grain rock, compact, grey reddish colour.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| 99% Calcite | Quartz, plagioclase, clay minerals. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Porous rock with fossil remains and pellets in a micritic matrix.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,80 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,30% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,09% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 1.002 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 189 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 806 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 2,65 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 30 cm |
Amarillo Alga
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Almeria |
| TOWNSHIP | Macael |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Medium to fine yellowish marble with many closed joints and dendritic dark mineral growths.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| Dolomite. | Calcite, opaques. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Allotriomorphic dolomitic rock, very homogeneous. Opaques and calcite in veins and intragranular voids.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,80 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,50% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,50% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 794 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 100 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 761 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 2,40 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 35 cm |
Amarillo Rio
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Almeria |
| TOWNSHIP | Macael |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Fine grain marble, pale yellow colour with irregular veins of different tones.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| 89% Dolomite, 9% Calcite | Muscovite, clay minerals, Quartz, opaques. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Mineral aggregates of dolomite with calcite evidences. There are clay patinas overlap dolomite grains.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,84 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,19% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,06% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 1.286 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 209 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 602 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 2,11 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 35 cm |
Anasol
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Almeria |
| TOWNSHIP | Macael |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Medium grain marble, white colour with irregular yellowish-grey veins.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| 89% Calcite, 8% Muscovite | Epidote, Quartz, plagioclase, Turmaline. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Calcite grains with zones rich in muscovite.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,71 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,42% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,15% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 798 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 283 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 755 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 2,48 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 35 cm |
Bateig Azul
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Alicante |
| TOWNSHIP | Novelda |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Medium grain calcarenitic rock, equigranular, bluish colour.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| Calcite, Quartz, organic remains. | Opaques, Calcite. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Calcareous rock quartz grains with detrital components. Many quartz clasts.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,33 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 4,70% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 4,78% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 242 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 51 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 245 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 4,70 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 40 cm |
Bateig Blanco
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Alicante |
| TOWNSHIP | Novelda |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Medium grain calcarenite, equigranular, white-greyish colour.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| Calcite, Quartz, fossil remains. | Opaques, Dolomite. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Calcareous rock with quartz grains as detrital components.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,24 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 5,80% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 5,86% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 232 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 62 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 426 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 4,50 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 45 cm |
Beig Serpiente
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Murcia |
| TOWNSHIP | Bullas |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Dolomitic limestone of breccial aspect, cream colour with darker colour in the irreguar fragments.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| Calcite, Dolomite. | Clay minerals. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Pellets bonded in a sparitic matrix with incipient dolomitization.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,79 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 1,10% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 3,20% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 1.597 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 230 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 1.309 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 3,48 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 45 cm |
Blanco Alconera
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Badajoz |
| TOWNSHIP | Alconera |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Limestone of fine grain with abundant recrystallization, green-white colour and irregular darker veins.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| Calcite. | Iron oxides, Quartz, opaques, clay minerals. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Strong recrystallization that deletes the original structure.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,72 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,34% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,12% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 875 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 85 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 875 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 2,81 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 35 cm |
Blanco Chercos
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Almeria |
| TOWNSHIP | Chercos |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Uniform white marble. Coarse grain rock.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| Calcite. | Quartz, opaques. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Equigranular mosaic of calcite with many polyssynthetic twins.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,71 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,06% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,06% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 689 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 476 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 674 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 2,86 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 60 cm |
Blanco Chive
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Almeria |
| TOWNSHIP | Lubrin |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Coarse grain rock with dark veins.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| 97% Calcite | 2% Apatite, 1% Zircon, Quartz, opaques. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Calcite marble with subrounded crystals. Quartz accumulation in some areas.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,72 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,32% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,127% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 688 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 136 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 675 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 3,11 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 54 cm |
Blanco Cobdar
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Almeria |
| TOWNSHIP | Cobdar |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
White marble with many irregular medium grey veins. Coarse grain rock.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| Calcite. | Dolomite, plagioclase, Quartz, opaques. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Equigranular mosaic of calcite texture with some muscovite flakes.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,71 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,22% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,08% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 754 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 300 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 732 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 2,91 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 50 cm |
Blanco Iberico
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Granada |
| TOWNSHIP | Alhama de Granada |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Large grain dolomitic marble with regular gray-white colour.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| Dolomite. | Quartz, opaques. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Rock formed by dolomite. The quartz appears in subrounded form and in veins.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,84 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,36% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,173% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 1.369 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 172 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 1.340 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 2,21 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 34 cm |
Blanco Lijar
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Almeria |
| TOWNSHIP | Lijar |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
White marble with very light grey veins. Coarse grain rock.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| Calcite. | Dolomite, plagioclase, opaques, Quartz. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Calcite marble that presents a mosaic of calcite twinned grains.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,72 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,02% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,01% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 710 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 290 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 290 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 2,78 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 25 cm |
Blanco Macael
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Almeria |
| TOWNSHIP | Macael |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Calcite marble of uniform white colour.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| 99% Calcite | Quartz, Muscovite, opaques. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Calcite grains and some muscovite flakes.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,72 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,60% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,16% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 804 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 212 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 665 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 2,43 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 45 cm |
Blanco Tranco
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Almeria |
| TOWNSHIP | Lubrin |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Coarse grain very crystallized rock, white colour with grey veins.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| 87% Calcite, 10% Dolomite | 2% Quartz, 1% Muscovite-opaques |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Rock formed by recrystallized calcite with a compositional banding due to an incipient dolomitization through veins.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,72 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,20% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,087% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 1.006 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 146 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 957 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 2,85 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 44 cm |
Bronceado Sierra Elvira
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Granada |
| TOWNSHIP | Atarfe |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Dolomitic fossiliferous limestone, fine grain and yellow-grey colour with some banding.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| Calcite, Dolomite. | Quartz, Malachite, Clorite. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Banded rock easily identified by the presence of fossils. Bands without fossils present a high grade dolomitization.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,71 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 0,14% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 0,05% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 849 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 259 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 783 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 3,03 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 35 cm |
Caliza Alba
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Murcia |
| TOWNSHIP | Moratalla |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Light cream colour rock with abundant fossil remains.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| Calcite. | Quartz, clay minerals. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Rock with a high percentage of fossils (lamellibranche, ostrachods, equinoderms, etc.) in a micritic matrix.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,19 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 2,30% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 6,03% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 471 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 83 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 483 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 5,16 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 23 cm |
Caliza Andalucia
GEOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
| PROVINCE | Cordoba |
| TOWNSHIP | Cabra |
MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Limestone of light cream colour and a few brown dots.
MINERAL COMPOSITION
| ESSENTIAL MINERALS | ACCESORY MINERALS |
| Calcite, organic remains. | Dolomite, Quartz. |
MICROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION
Abundant remains of alveolines and intraclastic sparite.
PHYSICO-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
| BULK SPECIFIC GRAVITY | 2,34 g/cm3 |
| APPARENT POROSITY | 4,80% |
| ABSORPTION COEFFICIENT | 4,81% |
| COMPRESSION STRENGTH | 371 Kg/cm2 |
| BENDING STRENGTH | 70 Kg/cm2 |
| C. STRENGTH AFTER FREEZING TEST | 300 Kg/cm2 |
| FRICTIONAL WEAR TEST | 3,00 mm |
| IMPACT TEST | 30 cm |
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