Graphitic marble is a type of marble that contains appreciable amounts of graphite, a steel-gray to black mineral comprised of carbon. Opaque and very soft, graphite deposits in marble usually appear as gray or silver flakes or swirls when polished, giving a characteristic appearance to the rock. However, when present with other accessory minerals, the overall look of the marble may be quite different, sometimes exhibiting hues of blues, reds, greens, pinks, and yellows as well. The tremendous array of possible marble manifestations contributes greatly to the popularity of the stone for decorative purposes, since types exist that will meet most any specifications.