Gemdle

Travertine

whitetanbrown

Travertine, a white/tan/brown mineral
James St. John · CC BY 2.0
ColourWhite, Tan, Brown

What is Travertine?

Travertine is a form of fresh water limestone deposited around mineral springs, especially hot springs. It often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan, cream-colored, and rusty varieties. It is formed by a process of rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate, often at the mouth of a hot spring or in a limestone cave. In the latter, it can form stalactites, stalagmites, and other speleothems.

How to identify Travertine

Can you spot Travertine?

Test yourself on photos of Travertine and lookalikes:

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Travertine?
Travertine's hardness varies; see the property table above.
What colour is Travertine?
Travertine is typically white, tan, brown.