In extreme circumstances the marble can turn a brown color akin to what happens to a piece of iron left out in the rain.
Marble with iron oxidation.
These marbles are usually brown or yellow because of the presence of iron oxide.
I highly doubt it has anything to do with light sensitivity.
The rust stain simply returns as moisture brings more rust back to the surface.
The most common culprit for white marble turning yellow is iron which can be found in many natural stones.
When exposed to water acids or bleach the iron in the stone will begin to oxidize and turn it yellow.
In addition to the oxidation of internal iron compounds present in stone like pyrite fes 2 and siderite feco 3 1 2 contact with iron rich ground water when marble is used in for example garden fountains results in severe and unsightly discolouration.
The most common culprit for white marble turning yellow is iron which can be found in many natural stones.
Yellow brown stains in white marble like carrara marble are almost always due to the oxidation and rusting of iron deposits that are embedded in the marble as described in this article above.
This process of oxidation is similar to the rusting of metal.
In extreme circumstances the marble can turn a brown color akin to what happens to a piece of iron left out in the rain.
The same process is occurring with the iron in the marble.
Oxidation is responsible for yellow brown stains that look like they are coming from the inside out.
Marble pigment iron oxide red powder find complete details about marble pigment iron oxide red powder marble pigment iron oxide red powder iron oxide red from pigment supplier or manufacturer hebei canri chemical co ltd.
Within marble is a naturally occurring percentage of iron and if the stone is exposed to high quantities of water a flood or leak or continuous moisture as inside a shower the iron will literally rust.
If you expose a brand new nail to water and air it will turn brown and rust.
When exposed to water acids or bleach the iron in the stone will begin to oxidize and turn it yellow.
Onyx marble was the alabaster of the ancients but alabaster is now defined as gypsum a calcium sulfate rock.
This oxidation process is accelerated when the tile is saturated as in the flood in the above example.
This process of oxidation is similar to the rusting of metal.
The same process is occurring with the iron in the marble.
They are in the strict sense neither marble nor onyx for true onyx is a banded chalcedony composed largely of silicon dioxide.
This oxidation process is accelerated when the tile is saturated as in the flood in the above example.
Iron stains however can be eliminated by mopping away water as accumulated in the marble tiles in order to prevent the iron from getting oxidized.