Marble is a high end stone used to make everything from Michelangelo sculptures to mansion steps and walls for mansions. Marble is limestone that was heated longer and transformed in the earth’s crust. It is often mistaken for granite, and vice versa, as the two have the same general look, weight and are used for similar purposes. Luckily, they have several distinct qualities that help tell them apart. Polished marble is smooth and silky with a highly reflective surface. You can often see your face reflected. If the polished and clean surface has roughness or bumps, it is not marble. Marble is at least two colours or tones and has a distinct pattern. The pattern grain that runs through it, made up of lines and waves that create a jumbled pattern. Some of the lines may smudge and swirl. If the marble has a speckled or crystal-like markings, then it is more likely to be granite. The colours in marble include pink, black, white, greenish, red and cream. The colours are soft shades, rather than bright.marble lines/grain patternMarble is very heavy, but relatively soft with a Mohs scale hardness of 3-4. It can be cut by a steel knife. Granite is much harder and cannot. If you cannot cut it with a knife, it is probably granite. Vinegar will make bubble fizz, whereas granite will be unaffected. The bubbles can be very small so use your magnifying glass to see. Splash water on the material surface . Marble does not absorb water and water will pool. If you put an acid liquid like vinegar or lemon juice, marble will react producing fizzing bubbles. The bubbles are very small, so you might need a magnifying glass to se it. Granite does not react.