The Grecian Marble Known as Thassos

Marble is found all over the globe. It comes in many variations and in a number of countries, regions, and zones. One such marble is Thassos which is found in Greece and for this reason is referred to as Grecian marble. What is Thassos marble? In what ways is it like other marble? How do professioanls work with it? And what are the care requirements for Thassos and other Grecian marbles? In this article, we will consider those questions.

Thassos - A Grecian Marble

As mentioned in the introduction, marble is found all over the world and in a variety of locales. Additionally, marble comes in a variety of colors. Because of these factors you will find that this intriguing material is referred to by names indicative of its color and/or the area of the world from which it originated. For example, the marble that we are here discussing is, in this context called Grecian Marble and is known by the name Thassos. Fundamentally though, the characteristics of the stone are what earn it the classification of "marble". What are the traits that warrant a material being classified as a marble?

Characteristics of Thassos: a Grecian Marble

Grecian Marble is classified as such because of its composition and the fact that it is from Greece. In fact, even materials that are geologically classified as some other material are actually called marble because of their composition. We won't get into the details of what makes marbles different from other, similar materials here. What we will do though is look at the traits of Thassos and show why these traits qualify it, at least by some if not all, as marble.

Thassos Composition

Marble is composed largely of calcite or calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and Thassos is no different in this sense. It is made up of this mineral and this is what gives it the characteristics that earn it the title of "marble". The fact that Thassos from Greece has so much of this mineral means that it has characteristics indicative of marble natural stone.

The presence of calcium carbonate in such high quantity make Grecian marble (and really all marble) a "soft" stone. Marble registers in the range of 3-4 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. So it is softer than other notable natural sotne materials such as granite, quartzite, sandstone, etc.

Calcium carbonate also affects the color of Thassos. Since calcium carbonate is white, most marble is a light color. Other, non clacium carbonate, minerals add other colors to the stone's appearance and contribute to the intriguing beauty of marble in Greece and other places.

How Grecian Marble is Processed for Surfaces

Processing of Grecian marble is consistent with how other natural stone is processed to become surfaces in homes, businesses, and even government and public structures. Fabricators work with the material; cutting it, shaping it, and polishing it. Through these tasks, Thassos is transformed into a surface that amazes onlookers. But how do fabrication professionals actually work with it?

Handling and Working With Thassos

One of the main challenges to working with any marble is handling the slabs into which it is cut. Just moving the material form one aprt of the shop, warehouse, or factory presents a challenge. This particular hurdle is overcome by using limestone slab lifters to help maneuver these and move them just as other industries do; with large steel plates for example.

Another aspect of working with marble from Greece and really any location is cutting the material. It is tempting to think that blades that cut harder materials will naturally work on soft stone like Thassos but that is not necessarily true. Blades can be ineffective at cutting marble when the blade is not compatible with surfaces like slabs of Grecian marble. For this reason professionals use calcareous marble blades to cut Thassos. Having a blade that is designed for use on this material will yield the best results and removes the question of whether the blade is the right one for the task.

Care and Maintenance of Thassos Surfaces

Even after the Thassos surface is completely processed and installed, it requires specific treatment. How so? Well, just like all other natural materials, Grecian marble and specifically, Thassos must be cared for and maintained properly. This is best done by implementing a regular routine consisting of multiple parts. Let's look at each of these now.

Periodically Seal Grecian Marble

This first aspect of caring for marble from Greece that we will discuss is sealing. Natural marble surfaces benefit greatly from being sealed periodically. Incorporating sealer applications into your routine of Thassos care and maintenance will help it resist staining from water based and oil based liquids that get absorbed into the pores of the surface. It is recommended that one of the natural stone sealers designed for Grecian marble be used periodically to reduce the absorption rate of the material.

Proper Daily Cleaner for Thassos

Sealing a Thassos surface will not be effective if the proper daily cleaner is not used. Why is that the case? Well, harsh cleaners or cleaner that is not formulated for use on natural stone will strip away the sealer very quickly; making a Grecian marble surface vulnerable to staining. That is correct, in one fell swoop, all the work of sealing Thassos surfaces can be completely undone by using the wrong daily cleaner. We recommend using a cleaning product for natural marble so that the sealer remains effective and in tact as long as possible. Doing this will increase the period between sealer applications.

Removing Stains On Marble From Greece

Inevitably there will be cases where a liquid gets through and makes its way into the pores of a stone. When this happens to Thassos surfaces, a stin remover formulated for the type of stain must be used. These removers will have instructions on how to use them properly and should be followed. Because a stain is likely to occur, having one of the maintenance kits for marble is recommended because it has various products; some of which can be used all the time.

Thassos Etch Removal

One specific type of discoloration to be aware of is etching. We say "discoloration" because etching is not technically a stain since it is not a substance that penetrates the pores. However, it does change the appearance of the stone in a way that makes it appear to be a color change. For example, a Thassos surface that is polished will show an etch as a dull spot. On the other hand, a honed surface made of Grecian marble will present an etch as a dark spot. The solution to etching is 1) using calcareous stone etch removal product, 2) a great deal of elbow grease, and 3) a heavy dose of patience. Etching in any marble surface, including Thassos is challenging to remove but it can be done.

As we have seen in this article, Thassos is a Grecian marble that is very much like other marble materials. It takes specific equipment to handle it and it requires specific care and maintenance practices for a long life. Knowing these basics about this interesting material from Greece will go a long way toward getting the most from it.