Changes on the surface properties of foliated marbles at different cutting orientations

•58.1% of calcite crystals have their c-axis perpendicularly oriented to foliation.•Higher microhardness is measured on surfaces parallel to the foliation.•Lower wettability and solubility are observed on surfaces parallel to the foliation.•Anisotropy is related to the CO32− organization in layers perpendicular to c-axis.•ESBD technique is revealed as a useful tool for crystal orientation analysis.