Materials and techniques: Marble


	Marble
	Advantages Soft and easy to carve Because of its structure, marble can take a very high polish Low index of refraction of calcite allows light to penetrate several millimetres into the stone before being scattered out, resulting in the characteristic waxy look which gives "life" Comes in many different colours due to different mineral compositions, although white is the most commonly associated with classical sculpture	Disadvantages Fault lines limit the size to which statues can be carved Susceptible to weathering, not ideal to be placed outside Rapid changes of temperature can produce stresses in the material due to differential expansion, causing cracks Prone to staining from handling to organic subtances to pollutants
	Evaluation

Soft and easy to carve
Because of its structure, marble can take a very high polish
Low index of refraction of calcite allows light to penetrate several millimetres into the stone before being scattered out, resulting in the characteristic waxy look which gives "life"
Comes in many different colours due to different mineral compositions, although white is the most commonly associated with classical sculpture

Fault lines limit the size to which statues can be carved
Susceptible to weathering, not ideal to be placed outside
Rapid changes of temperature can produce stresses in the material due to differential expansion, causing cracks
Prone to staining from handling to organic subtances to pollutants

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