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Natural inorganic gem materials · Trade name: colour / appearance variety · Natural identity; treatment status unknown

White Marble (Hanbaiyu)

Also known asHanbaiyu

White marble sold under a traditional Chinese name. GB/T 16552-2017 Table A.2 records it as "Hanbaiyu Marble"; the name contains the word "yu" but does not mean jade. This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from.

Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.

Care and wear

What this page can answer

This page covers

What we cannot conclude

  • Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
  • Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
  • Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.

Material research: formation, causes and history

What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.

How it forms

Hanbaiyu is a traditional and commercial Chinese designation for white marble of carbonate composition. Being a metamorphic rock, marble begins as sedimentary limestone — itself consolidated from shells, sand and mud laid down in seas and lakes — which natural rock-forming heat and pressure then convert, recrystallizing the calcite grains. Calcite crystals dominate its makeup, and coloured streaks formed by non-calcite minerals are often present. Hanbaiyu is thus a rock, that is a mineral aggregate, and not one mineral species; since the authoritative sources consulted offer no mineralogical definition of the name "Hanbaiyu", it is handled here as a rock-type material.

Scope: Applies to the identity and metamorphic origin of white marble (traditional Chinese name Hanbaiyu) as a rock; the Chinese name "Hanbaiyu" itself has no authoritative mineralogical definition.

Sources USGS FAQ: limestone and marble

Where it forms

A metamorphic setting: sedimentary limestone recrystallizes under heat and pressure; its protolith is limestone deposited in ocean/lake settings.

Sources USGS FAQ: limestone and marble

How it forms, step by step

  1. Shells, sand and mud are deposited in oceans and lakes and solidify into limestone.

    Sources USGS FAQ: limestone and marble
  2. Natural rock-forming processes apply heat and pressure to the limestone.

    Sources USGS FAQ: limestone and marble
  3. Recrystallization of the calcite grains yields marble, which consists mostly of calcite crystals.

    Sources USGS FAQ: limestone and marble
  4. Impurity minerals form coloured streaks; the white variety is what "Hanbaiyu" denotes.

    Sources USGS FAQ: limestone and marble

Link to appearance

Whiteness arises from the mainly-calcite crystal aggregate; other non-calcite minerals occur as streaks and can give colour banding. NOTE: this record makes no claim about the origin or authenticity of the Chinese name "Hanbaiyu".

Sources USGS FAQ: limestone and marble

Timescale

The sources give no absolute age or duration for the metamorphism; only the limestone deposition-to-recrystallization process is stated.

Sources USGS FAQ: limestone and marble

Related base materials

  • Marble (calcite/dolomite): Rock; Hanbaiyu is a traditional Chinese/commercial name for white marble, not a separate mineral species

Supporting findings

Marble, a metamorphic rock, results when sedimentary limestone is subjected to heat and pressure, which causes its calcite grains to recrystallize.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Applies to marble's metamorphic origin; not to the Chinese name.

Sources USGS FAQ: limestone and marble

Marble's protolith, limestone, forms in oceans and lakes, where shells, sand and mud are deposited and solidify, so it is a sedimentary protolith.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Describes the sedimentary setting of the protolith; not a specific deposit.

Sources USGS FAQ: limestone and marble

Recorded localities

Authoritative sources list the localities below; the list is not exhaustive.

Locality sketch mapLand outlines only; the map does not depict any national or regional boundary. Dots mark approximate positions. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).

Asia

These are localities recorded by authoritative sources, not an origin finding for any individual piece. The CIBJO Gemstone Book (2022, §4.2.3) says a place of origin names where a gem was mined or harvested, is a matter of opinion, does not imply a level of quality, and that cutting, processing or exporting centres must not be used to imply origin. See how far testing can go on this page, the origin determination guide and the overview of recorded localities.

Other research findings

Calcite crystals make up most of marble, and streaks of colour within it are inclusions formed by minerals other than calcite.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Describes marble's mineral makeup; not all Hanbaiyu samples contain streaks.

Sources USGS FAQ: limestone and marble

The marble denoted by Hanbaiyu is a rock (a mineral aggregate), not a single mineral species.

Evidence grade B

Scope: Defines it as a rock-type material; the cited authoritative sources give no mineralogical definition of Hanbaiyu.

Sources USGS FAQ: limestone and marble

Limits of this research

  • Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
  • "Hanbaiyu" is a Chinese traditional/commercial name; none of the authoritative sources used define it mineralogically, so it is treated as white marble (a rock) and flagged as lacking an authoritative definition.
  • No source for a specific locality/deposit of this name was available; no origin claim is made.

Methodology

Evidence grades

A
Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
B
Institutional educational material
C
Specialist databases or cautious readings

A statement is never graded above its strongest source.

This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.

DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments

Suggested listing name
Hanbaiyu (white marble)

GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2 “Marble” · CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.141 “Marble”

Construction or treatment status

Natural identity; treatment status unknown

Treatments recorded for this material: Dyed (via parent material), Filled / Fracture-filled (via parent material), Coated (via parent material)

Related:Disclosure and cautions

This page cannot answer

Natural? · Origin · Price

A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.

Related:What this page can answer

Answer at a glance

"White Marble (Hanbaiyu)" is a market name rather than a mineral species name; before using it, verify: Trade name rather than a mineralogical species name.

Evidence

  • GB/T · Table A.2, row 汉白玉 (White Marble (Hanbaiyu))

What this means for you

Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Hanbaiyu (white marble)" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.

Known uncertainty

Last reviewed
2026-09-01

Trade-name ruling

  • Trade name rather than a mineralogical species name.
Suggested listing name
Hanbaiyu (white marble)

Care and wear

Normal care for every gemstone (CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.1), in brief:

  • Handle it gently.
  • Store pieces apart when not worn, so they cannot scratch each other.
  • Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
  • Use ultrasonic cleaners only with caution.

The §6.1 wording and the full list of §6.2 special-care letters cited on this page are on the general gem care page.

Care

Hanbaiyu white marble — care (cleaning): Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code j

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Hanbaiyu white marble — care (chemicals): porous, so do not let it come into contact with coloured fluids; particularly susceptible to attack by acids, so keep it away from acids.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code c, special-care code h

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Hanbaiyu white marble — care (chemicals): Treatments with dye, oil, resin, wax or plastic are not permanent; keep it away from all solvents (including dish-washing liquids), chemicals and heat.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code k

Treatment state
treated
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Hanbaiyu white marble — care (wear): Some stones are prone to scratching due to low hardness. Wear them with care.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code a

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

Common care questions and matching entries

The care conclusions for White Marble (Hanbaiyu) are cited from the Marble row of the CIBJO Blue Book — Official Gemstone Book (Coloured Stone Commission 2022), taking the parent's values because Hanbaiyu is a marble. Cleaning: in any treatment state, White Marble (Hanbaiyu) must not be cleaned ultrasonically. Chemicals: in any treatment state, it is porous, so keep it away from coloured liquids, and it is particularly sensitive to acids and must be kept away from them. Wear: in any treatment state, it is soft and scratches easily, so wear it with care. For treated material, the effects of dyeing, oiling, resin, wax or plastic impregnation are not permanent, so keep it away from all solvents (including detergents of every kind), chemicals and heat.

Care entries by treatment state

The same entries grouped by the treatment state each applies to; each links to its full wording and source. Letters are CIBJO special-care codes, explained on the gemstone care page.

any treatment state

treated

Treatments and identification leads

Registered treatmentsThe treatment registered for White Marble (Hanbaiyu) is surface waxing; its status is treated, it is unstable, and it occurs commonly. Values not givenThe identification leads and source for surface waxing are both recorded as “—”, meaning the cited source gives no value, not “none”.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

TreatmentMarket frequency (CIBJO)Stability (CIBJO)GB/T 16552 categoryJJA/AGL listingIdentification leads
surface waxingStatus: treatedcommonlyunstable———
Dyeing——Treatment——
Filling——Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1——
Coating——Treatment——

“—” means the cited source gives no value for that item, not “none”. Source: CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022; GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1 (row for Marble)

Whether a treatment has to show in the name differs between the two rule sets (this site’s paraphrase):

  • GB/T 16552—2017: a method classed as treatment has to be stated in the name itself — the method put before the name, or added in brackets after it; a method classed as optimization does not need to appear in the name, though one marked “Optimization (annotation required)” still has to be noted in the quality documents. Source: §5.4.2.1 a), b); §5.4.2.2 a)
  • CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022: no longer splits treatments into ones that need specific disclosure and ones that need only general disclosure: every treatment is to be disclosed, and the seller tells the buyer which treatment was used and what special care it calls for. Source: §4.2.5 Note 2, §4.2.5.1, pp.14–15

What this table covers

What this page can give

  • Registered treatments, their stability and how often they occur (see the table above)
  • Identification leads for each treatment, for use when sending a stone for testing

VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources

Names

Besides White Marble (Hanbaiyu), the name register records "Hanbaiyu", for which no restriction on use as a name is recorded.

Standard and listing namesThe Chinese standard name for White Marble (Hanbaiyu) is hanbaiyu (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2), the trade name or synonym is Hanbaiyu, and the suggested listing name is White Marble (Hanbaiyu). Names in four languagesNames are registered in four languages: Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English (White Marble (Hanbaiyu)) and Japanese. Trade and mineralogical namesThe mineralogical name is white marble sold under the traditional Chinese name Hanbaiyu. Institution usageOn authority wording, the FTC and CIBJO texts on file have no wording for White Marble (Hanbaiyu) (checked), and GIA and Gem-A are unchecked; bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name, White Marble (Hanbaiyu), which does not represent their position. Japanese namesFor the GSJ (Japan) formal name, the Japanese name shown is the entry's own, and the wording used by the GSJ for it is not yet verified by this site. Trade and mineralogical namesThe identity tier of White Marble (Hanbaiyu) is trade name: colour or appearance variety.

Name register

Every name recorded for this entry, with how it is classified, whether it may be matched to this entry automatically, whether it may be used as a product name, and the clause it rests on.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

NameTypeMatchingUse as a nameBasis
no restriction recorded (1)
HanbaiyuEnglishtransliterationmatched automaticallyno restriction recordededitorial ruling (no clause cited)

How each authority words this name: see Names › Authority wording.

Authority wording

GIA, FTC, CIBJO, Gem-A
White Marble (Hanbaiyu) (no wording for this name in the FTC, CIBJO text on file; GIA, Gem-A unchecked — bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name)
GSJ (Japan) formal name
漢白玉 (not yet checked for this body — the entry's own Japanese name is shown)
Chinese formal name
汉白玉 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.2)
Mineralogical name
White marble sold under the Chinese traditional name Hanbaiyu
Trade names and synonyms
Hanbaiyu (transliteration)

Four-language names

简体中文
汉白玉
繁體中文
漢白玉
English
White Marble (Hanbaiyu)
日本語
漢白玉

See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index

Classification

Origin
Natural materials
Material domain
Natural inorganic gem materials
Browsing family
Rocks and polymineral aggregates
Identity tier
Trade name: colour / appearance variety
Mineral chemical class
Mixed / composition-dependent
Construction or treatment status
Natural identity; treatment status unknown

Treatments listed by standards

GB/T 16552-2017, Annex B, Table B.1

Under the “Marble” row of Table B.1: Dyeing Treatment; Filling Graded — see §5.4.1, Table 1; Coating Treatment. The full row, with the effect column, is on the Marble page.

What Table B.1 is, and how the “see 5.4.1” grades are defined: see the GB/T 16552: optimization vs treatment page.

What it is and how it's identified

In the material facts for White Marble (Hanbaiyu), the physical, chemical and optical items are registered from the cited GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing for marble (the whole class), not measured on White Marble (Hanbaiyu) itself. For marble (the whole class): crystalline aggregate, commonly granular or fibrous; Mohs hardness 3; cleavage usually not seen in the aggregate; untreated, it effervesces with a drop of hydrochloric acid; density 2.65–2.75 g/cm³ (the cited clause gives 2.70 with a stated tolerance of ±0.05, and the range is worked out from that); optic character an anisotropic aggregate; refractive index 1.486–1.658; untreated, lustre vitreous to greasy. Chemical composition, fluorescence, UV-visible spectrum, infrared spectrum and magnification are written for marble (the whole class); see the material facts on the Marble entry.

Registered material facts

Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.

Chemical composition, luminescence, UV-visible spectrum, infrared spectrum, magnification: these whole-class features are given in the cited clause for marble (the whole class), so they are not repeated on the White Marble (Hanbaiyu) page; see the material facts on the Marble entry.

Items below that name the class they cover give the cited clause’s value for that whole class, not a measurement of White Marble (Hanbaiyu) (how to read class-level values).

Structure

Hanbaiyu white marble — structure (overall): crystalline aggregate, usually granular or fibrous

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
marble (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.18 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Durability

Hanbaiyu white marble — Mohs hardness: 3

GB/T 16553—2017

123456789103References (diamond = value, bar = range; below)

Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Topaz 8, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))

Mohs hardnessSource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
marble (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.18 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Hanbaiyu white marble — cleavage: generally not seen on an aggregate

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
marble (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.18 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Hanbaiyu white marble — stability: effervesces on contact with hydrochloric acid

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
marble (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.18 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

For Hanbaiyu white marble, the stability of surface waxing is “unstable”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
surface waxing
Qualification

This says how well the treatment holds up, not how durable Hanbaiyu white marble itself is.

General note
no durability verdict here
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Physical properties

Hanbaiyu white marble — density: 2.65–2.75 g/cm³

GB/T 16553—2017

0.51.52.53.54.55.56.57.52.65–2.75
Specific gravitySource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
marble (the whole class)
Qualification

The clause we cite gives 2.70, with a stated tolerance of ±0.05. The range shown here is worked out from that.

Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.18 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Optical

Hanbaiyu white marble — optic character: anisotropic material

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
marble (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.18 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Hanbaiyu white marble — refractive index: 1.486–1.658

GB/T 16553—2017

1.31.72.12.52.93.31.486–1.658
Refractive indexSource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
marble (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.18 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Hanbaiyu white marble — birefringence: not measurable on an aggregate

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
marble (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.18 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Hanbaiyu white marble — pleochroism: not measurable on an aggregate

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
marble (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.18 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Hanbaiyu white marble — body colour: white

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Qualification

In chapter 5 of GB/T 16553—2017, the colour entries of Ivory, Calcite, Howlite and other variety clauses also name white or a whitish colour.

General note
colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.18 Colour · Hanbaiyu (white marble) (locator checked 2026-09-28)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Quality factors

Hanbaiyu white marble — quality factor (lustre): vitreous to greasy

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
What this covers
marble (the whole class)
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.2.18 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

1.541.551.561.571.581.592.52.62.72.82.9Refractive indexSpecific gravity12345White Marble (Hanbaiyu)

This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.572 / 2.7; Closest values: 1Shoushan Stone 1.56 / 2.7, 2Scapolite 1.558 / 2.67, 3Qingtian Stone 1.565 / 2.77, 4Aquamarine 1.58 / 2.79, 5Iolite 1.563 / 2.61

Show the full chart (330 registered materials)1.41.51.61.71.81.922.12.22.32.41234567Refractive indexSpecific gravity12345White Marble (Hanbaiyu)

Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22

Refractive index × specific gravity (all registered materials)Each dot is one material's registered refractive index and specific gravity (range midpoints, not measurements); gold = this material, dark = the nearest few (picked on this site by distance in RI ÷ 0.02 and SG ÷ 0.1, leaving out near-identical varieties of the same species)Source: each material's registered refractive index and specific gravity facts (GB/T 16553 and others; sources on each entry)

Testing and market

How far testing can go

For Hanbaiyu white marble in trade, the reported frequency of surface waxing is “commonly”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
surface waxing
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

Clause-level definitions

White Marble (Hanbaiyu) has a clause-level definition in GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A under the term White Marble (Hanbaiyu), defined as white marble sold under the Chinese traditional name Hanbaiyu. The cross-check result for GB/T 16552-2017 Annex A is that it is listed directly by GB/T, and CIBJO carries no standalone entry under the same name.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

TermClauseDefinitionCross-check
White Marble (Hanbaiyu)GB/T 16552-2017 Annex AWhite marble sold under the Chinese traditional name HanbaiyuListed directly by GB/T; CIBJO carries no standalone entry under the same name.

Evidence and sources

Authority basis and clause sources

GB/T 16552—2017
Listed Table A.2 “Marble” · Source
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Listed §7.2.1.141 “Marble” · Source

Sources

Further reading

Related entries and topic cluster

Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

PageContentStatus
Browsing familyRocks and polymineral aggregatesLive
Treatments recorded for this materialDyed (via parent material), Filled / Fracture-filled (via parent material), Coated (via parent material)Live
Related articlesTo be added (placeholder)Planned

Who maintains this page

The material facts in the White Marble (Hanbaiyu) entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.

Facts editor
June
Reviewer
Ralph
How facts are checked
Each fact is matched to the clause it cites; facts checked between 2026-09-25 and 2026-09-26
Last revised
2026-10-12
Purpose
Lets buyers and sellers check naming, disclosure and material facts clause by clause.

Spotted an error? Report it on the forum