A member of the limestone family, Travertine shares some similar characteristics such as being soft and porous. Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. Travertine often has a fibrous or concentric appearance and exists in white, tan and cream-colored 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. It is frequently used in Italy and elsewhere as a building material. Travertine is a terrestrial sedimentary rock, formed by the precipitation of carbonate minerals from solution in ground and surface waters, and/or geothermally heated hot-springs. Travertine is formed with many small cavities and holes running through it that can be filled in with cement or resin, or left unfilled for a textured surface. The surface is then polished to a rough or highly polished finish. The filled-in areas remain dull which creates an interesting contrast.
