If you were to pick up a piece of marble right now, you might find yourself staring at what appears to be long cracks. However, most of these “cracks” aren’t as they seem – they are actually called “fissures”, and they are a natural and normal formation in the marble. So how do you know the difference?

In Greece’s Classical Period, which ran from 500 BCE to 323 BCE, the popularity of marble sculpture rose. With an interest in naturalistic representation, Classical Greek artists began to sculpt human figures and reliefs with refined chiseling techniques. The subject of the sculptures focused on an idealized perception of anatomy and featured clinging fabrics and drapery.

Cultured marble is typically a man-made blend of stone particles and resins with pigments. One pro of cultured marble is that it can be customized due to the wide range of colors or options. Cultured marble is a more affordable option compared to real marble and can be used in more adaptable ways.