I have a tumbled travertine counter that was damaged by a falling object. A very small chip was taken out, and the "pit" looks white, and stands out against the beige color of the undamaged stone. Can I color this spot to match the surrounding stone? The presence of the small pit is no problem, just its white color.

 

Dear Charles:

The reason why the pit looks white is the consequence of a physical phenomenon called “stunned crystals”. All calcareous rocks are made mainly of calcite crystals and if they get hit hard by a blunt object they literally explode and expand. Such sudden expansion affects the surrounding crystals, which in turn explode and expand. The consequent damage can't be repaired. However, if it is a small chip, I would try to color it with a permanent magic marker to match the original hue.

 

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm? J

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

www.marblecleaning.org – The Only Consumers' Portal to the Stone Industry Establishment!