Travertine

Travertine is a white massive concretionary form of calcium carbonate, CaCO3 which is a resultant of deposition by springs (especially hot springs) or rivers. Travertine is usually hard and semicrystalline. It is often found in a beautifully coloured and banded as a result of the iron compounds presence or some other impurities. Generally travertine is less coarse-grained and takes a higher polish than stalactite or stalagmite whose chemical composition and origin are similar.

Physical Properties of Travertine

Light transmission	Typically subtranslucent in all but extremely thin pieces
Luster	Dull to pearly or even subvitreous.
Miscellany	Effervesces with dilute HCl.
Hardness	3-4 Moh's scale
Color	Colorless, White, Pink, Yellow, Brown
Density	2.71
Streak	White
Specific gravity	1.68

Chemical Properties of Travertine

Flash point	89°F / 31°C
Solubility	In water : at 68°F / 20°C : insoluble
	In solvents : soluble in many organic solvents like benzene hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons, acetone, phthalates,methanol ,ethanol e.t.c.

Uses of Travertine

• The compact crystalline variety of travertine has been used as building stone since ancient Roman times.
• Jewellery like pendants and brooches
• Bookends
• Paperweights
• Carvings like in chess sets

Occurances of Travertine

Italy	Tivoli
California	San Luis Obispo County, Los Angeles
Algeria	Algiers to Bona Jurjura and Shellata Bon-Haifa, Mascara Department
Argentina	San Luis Province