# Quarrels With Quarrying? (DD-376)

> Decorative stones such as marble and onyx are quarried with diamond wire saws and other precision cutters to free large, undamaged blocks. Shale, used for cement and bricks, is broken out with heavy machinery or blasting and crushed. The method depends on whether the stone's appearance matters. The footage shows wire saws and machines working a quarry.

- Department: Tech
- First published: 2024-11-17
- Last updated: 2024-11-17
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/quarrels-with-quarrying/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-376-F01**: Cut in blocks. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Marble))_
- **DD-376-F02**: Diamond wire saws cut stone. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Wire saws))_

## Write-up

Marble and onyx are sliced out in clean blocks. Shale is broken up and crushed for cement and bricks.

1. **Marble**: Cut in blocks.
2. **Wire saws**: Diamond wire saws cut stone.
3. **Shale**: Broken and crushed.
4. **Uses**: Cement and bricks.
5. **Appearance**: Looks decide the method.

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Quarrels With Quarrying?: Marble and Onyx Are Sliced Out in Clean Blocks

- Duration: 30.5 s · Published: 2024-11-17
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DCf-PPzuBLN.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know, the quarrying of onyx, marble, and shale involves distinct methods tailored to each stone's purpose and characteristics for onyx and marble, which are prized for their appearance. Precision cutting tools, such as diamond tip saws and wire saws, are used to extract large blocks with minimal damage. This careful extraction preserves the natural beauty of the stone for decorative and architectural applications. In contrast, shale, primarily used in construction materials like cement and bricks, is extracted using heavy machinery to break and remove large sections of rock, which are then crushed for processing NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: What cuts marble blocks?**  
A: Precision. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Marble) · Wikipedia: Quarry)_

**Q: What is shale used for?**  
A: Construction. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Wire saws) · Wikipedia: Wire saw)_

**Q: How is shale removed?**  
A: Bulk. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Shale) · Wikipedia: Quarry)_

**Q: Why careful cuts for marble?**  
A: Decorative. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Uses) · Wikipedia: Quarry)_

**Q: Which is decorative?**  
A: Prized. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Appearance) · Wikipedia: Quarry)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Quarry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarry)
- [Wikipedia: Wire saw](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wire_saw)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Quarrels With Quarrying?." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-376, last updated Nov 17, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/quarrels-with-quarrying/