Vile, I am working an a technique to make marble a bit more luminescent/tranlucent looking by using a slightly transparent outer texture and a spectular/reflective inner one. This requires 2 models, the inner 98 to 99% size of the outer, but does not increase render time much. I do not have the process quite right yet. Attached is pic: left is the 2-model texture, right is the same texture on one model. To me, the left looks more marble-ish. IM or email me if you want the textures. I'd post 'em here, but like I say, I am not sure they are quite right yet. Peej