Description
Marble is a metamorphic rock formed when limestone is exposed to high temperatures and pressures.
Marble forms under such conditions because the calcite forming the limestone recrystallizes forming a denser rock consisting of roughly equigranular calcite crystals.
The variety of colors exhibited by marble are a consequence of minor amounts of impurities being incorporated with the calcite during metamorphism.
While marble can appear superficially similar to quartzite, a piece of marble will be able to be scratched by a metal blade, and marble will fizz on contact with dilute hydrochloric acid.