Man-made countertop materials attempt to imitate the look of marble with only limited success. Since marble was created from sedimentary dolomite or limestone rock through a natural process, each piece is unique in appearance. The wide range of hues and colors found in marble are determined by the area of origin, and the proportional mix of minerals in the original limestone. The beautiful and distinctive veining this stone is known for comes from impurities trapped in the limestone when earth’s extreme heat and pressure transformed it into marble.