Cutting marble. Close-up of a block of marble being cut by a diamond chain saw (not seen). Water is poured over the marble to cool and lubricate the saw. This marble is from the Fantiscritti quarry, Carrara, Italy. Marble has been quarried in the hills above Carrara for more than 2000 years. Marble is a metamorphic rock, formed when limestone is altered by processes within the Earth, for example extreme pressure or temperature. This fine white marble is used for building and sculpture. Michelangelo used marble from Carrara for his sculptures.