Marble

About Marbles

Stone slabs and tiles belong to the most valuable additions to the home. From sleek countertops to floors and walls dressed in tiles, there is something about the material that speaks of beauty and good taste.

Marble is an impressive stone, found in an extensive organic selection of different colours and textures. No two slabs are identical, which means that every installation, no matter how simple or small, is also authentic and unique. 

Advantages of Marble Tiles and Slabs

• Hardness and durability
• Scratch, damage, and stain resistance
• Stylish and luxurious appearance 
• Diversity in surface finish options

 Applications

• Can be used indoors and outdoors, on both horizontal and vertical surfaces
• Suitable for both residential and commercial applications
• Available as marble floor tiles, for walls fireplaces, and more
• Marble slabs - for countertops or stone benchtops
• Can be moulded into basins, bathtubs and showers
• Other uses include staircases, fountains, and mosaics

Types of Marble

Large blocks can be cut to slabs and tiles, polished, honed, and more. While no piece is identical to another, they may share some distinctive characteristics helpful for sorting them out. Two main categories for distinguishing marble species are their base colours and origins. 

White Marble

An inherently classic type, white marble is often found as a part of architectural landmarks from previous centuries. It’s elegant and pure, with or without veins on smooth and clear, milky-white surfaces. 

• Carrara: Grayish-white in colour, this legendary rock still embodies artist visions from many centuries ago, including Michaelangelo’s David. Today, it’s mostly known as Bianco Carrara and makes a popular choice for bathroom walls, kitchen backsplashes, fireplaces, or bathroom walls. 
• Calacatta Marble: A version of white stone from the Carrara area, distinguished by varying cracked patterns and grey veins, is one of the most popular choices worldwide.  
• Statuario: This version is recognised by sharp, dark grey veins on light grey background.

Black Marble

Black marble is often seen as a strong, dramatic statement of style, associated with luxury. Its shade requires ample space, with a lot of room to breathe and good lighting. 

• Negro Marquina: Among the most common black varieties in home applications, this solid black stone originates from Basque. It features streaks of white veins but can also be polished to a solid black surface. 
• Nero Portoro: Italian alternative to Negro Marquina is distinguished by its leopard pattern of gold and creamy brown. Each slab is unique and ideal for large bathrooms and kitchens.
• Black Calacatta Marble: This is a “negative version” of white Calacatta, with light grey streaks in varying patterns. It originates from Mexico and is typically used for walls, sinks, or floors, or paving.

Red Marble

The red category comprises a variety of shades, ranging from orange to deep reddish-brown. Some come with white veining while others are uniform and solid. 

• Sasso Rosso: Quarried in Italy, this one boasts strong decorative properties. It’s equally suitable for walls and floors, as well as for marble basins, fireplaces, or pool edging.
• Domvrena Red: Greek red version is a popular choice for countertops and sinks in both bathrooms and kitchens. It’s recognised by light and dark red spots with patches of cream and light brown.
• French Red: This is one of the darkest red rocks available. Reaching almost deep brown, it adds a rich contrast to any environment. 

Brown Marble

Brown marble is a versatile material, best installed in well-lit areas.

• Dark Emperador: Dark brown base with thin light brown streaks can be combined with a range of other colours, ideal for floor accents or staircases. 
• Light Emperador: This is basically its lighter-hued twin of a dark one. 
• French Brown: This Indian variety is known for its deep black veins on brown background. It is extensively used as an ornamental stone.

Pink Marble

Delicate and sophisticated, pink marble is perfect for all applications where it will shine without overwhelming the space.

• Rosa Levante: Solid pink colour with subtle veining and grainy texture, recognised by the appearance of fossils. It’s also known on the market as Crema Levante.
• Rosa Portugues: This popular version comes in many shades of true pink, with grey or brown streaks of veining. Some versions are solid pink with no veining at all. 
• Pink Spider: Creamy pink with dark red veins in squiggly lines.

Yellow Marble

The yellow variety ranges from light beige, similar to Travertine, to rich gold shades. 

• Amarillo Triana: A bright and highly attractive yellow with irregular streaks of dark yellow or grey veins is commonly used for accent pieces or paving.
• Spanish Gold: Its dark, bronzy-brown, uniform surface is a popular choice for indoor use and pavements. 
• Yellow Siena: Bright yellow and golden brown with cloudy veining can be used both for function and decoration.

Green Marble

Green stones are elegant and exotic, ideal for creating a calming ambience.

• Verde Indio: Almost pure leaf green, with some versions including black veining or dark grey spots. 
• Verde Oasis: Greek stone with bluish-green structure resembles ocean waves.
• Galaxy Jade: Coming from quarries in China and resembling real jade, this one features cloudy white pigmentation and black streaks. 

Grey Marble

Some grey species can be put in the black or white category, but there is a whole range of greys that form a category of its own. 

• Marengo Grey: A mix of light grey, dark grey, and creamy white makes this stone a highly attractive choice for flooring and paving. 
• Mariah Grey: Solid grey surface boasts a gradient range of smoky shades ranging from light to dark.
• Antico Grey: Thick streaks of deeply dark grey and lighter shades are ideal for adding a touch of drama to the bathroom or kitchen.

Marble Finishes

• A honed finish leaves a smooth velvet surface with muted hues. It’s less likely to scratch and works well in wet environments. 
• A polished finish leaves a glossy, glass-like surface. 
• The brushed texture resembles natural aging. It conceals scratches and marks well. 
• A textured finish looks great in backsplashes. It’s highly durable and easy to maintain. 

Care and Maintenance

Maintenance of marble is almost non-existing, as long as it’s been properly sealed. Cleaning requires sweeping and wet mopping using stone-specific cleaners. 

Things to Consider Before Choosing Marble

Marble countertops or floors are slightly weaker than granite and should be protected from oils or organic stains, as well as contacts with direct heat. Also, this stone should never be cleaned with harsh chemicals and abrasives. 

Mats, hot pads, or similar covers are recommended in risky spots for added protection. 

Sharp items like knives, metal belts, and similar can leave scratches on the surface. 

It’s strongly advised to check the right samples with the finishing that will be installed on a finished product. The colours of raw and finished surfaces can vary a lot.