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Hairline Cracks in Marble

Stone Conversations : Archive 1 : Message 00664

From: "Michael Morgan" <waterrules@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 22:55:51 -0700
Subject: Hairline Cracks in Marble

I'm a "beginning" sculptor. I've been sculpting for
only 10 months or so -- in alabaster and soapstone.

I have a commission to do my first piece in marble and
have some Crema Marfil on hand. My question is this:
When I polish a small 4" X 5" piece -- as a sample -- it
still has HAIRLINE cracks in it even after I've
finished. I've rasped, then filed, then followed with
gritty sandscreen, 220, 320, 400, 600, and 1500 wet/dry
sandpaper. And finished with an oxide paste. The
marble looks terrific, but still . . . you can just
barely place the edge of your fingernail in these very
fine little cracks.

Are these very fine, hairline cracks unavoidable in some
marbles?!?!?! Or am I doing something wrong?

As a follow-up question, will a sealer either hide them
or "protect" them from getting worse over time?!?!?

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