Ornamental rock quarrying and production represent an important segment of the raw material industry. This study aims to integrate key scientific concepts such as facies data, mineralogical analysis and physical–mechanical properties to delineate potential ornamental limestone extraction areas from the Apuseni Mountains, Romania. For this purpose, three distinct areas were evaluated, represented by the Moneasa, Subpiatră and Săndulești areas. The first two locations belong to the Northern Apuseni Mountains while the third location is situated in the Southern Apuseni Mountains. Eleven microfacies types were identified, consisting mainly of brecciated or nodular limestones, bioclastic packstones, boundstones, rudstones or silicified packstone. Microfacies types 4–8 and 9 are the most homogeneous in terms of colour and texture. Limestones with low porosity record higher uniaxial compressive strength values. This parameter is also influenced by porosity, micrite, sparite and grain proportion. The XRD analyses separate the samples in three major groups, based on their mineralogy. These include pure, detrital and silicified limestones. According to their strength, the studied limestones range from weak to tough and very tough rocks. Industrial-scale ornamental limestone quarrying was performed in the past only in the Moneasa Zone. These limestones were used especially for interior cladding and pavements. This study confirms their usage for such purposes. The Subpiatră Limestone is quarried extensively for cement production. However, this study shows that carbonate rocks from Subpiatră could be used for ornamental limestone production. Finally, the Săndulești Zone is analysed, in terms of ornamental stone potential. The physical and mechanical properties of these rocks suggests that these carbonate deposits are not suitable for ornamental rock quarrying.

观赏石采石和生产是原材料工业的重要组成部分。本研究旨在整合相数据、矿物学分析和物理力学特性等关键科学概念，以描绘罗马尼亚阿普塞尼山脉潜在的观赏性石灰岩开采区。为此目的，评估了三个不同的区域，以 Moneasa、Subpiatră 和 Sănduleşti 地区为代表。前两个地点属于北阿普塞尼山脉，而第三个地点位于南阿普塞尼山脉。确定了 11 种微相类型，主要包括角砾状或结节状石灰岩、生物碎屑堆积岩、边界岩、地心石或硅化堆积岩。就颜色和质地而言，4-8 和 9 型微相是最均匀的。具有低孔隙率的石灰石记录了更高的单轴抗压强度值。该参数还受孔隙度、微晶、晶石和晶粒比例的影响。XRD 分析根据矿物学将样品分为三个主要组。这些包括纯、碎屑和硅化石灰石。根据它们的强度，研究的石灰岩范围从弱到坚韧和非常坚韧的岩石。过去，工业规模的观赏性石灰石采石仅在莫尼萨区进行。这些石灰石特别用于室内覆层和人行道。这项研究证实了它们用于此类目的。Subpiatră 石灰石被广泛用于水泥生产。然而，这项研究表明，来自 Subpiatră 的碳酸盐岩可用于生产观赏性石灰石。最后，对 Sănduleşti 区的装饰性石材潜力进行了分析。这些岩石的物理和力学性质表明，这些碳酸盐矿床不适合观赏性采石。