Marble countertops are the epitome of high-class living. They exude luxury and sophistication and bring an air of elegance to any room. Marble is a natural stone, and while it may not be as hardy as other natural stones, its fragility only adds to its timelessness. That’s not to say that a marble countertop will sustain damage at the drop of a hat, though. As long as you maintain proper care and upkeep of your marble countertop, it’ll last for decades.
No two marble slabs are alike. Whether it’s the veining, color, or finish, there will always be something about your slab of marble that sets it apart.
Marble comes in a wide variety of shades, from pure white to black to anything in between—colors like green, pink, and red. Many people aren’t aware of marble’s versatility in the color department, mostly because many remodelers end up choosing something more on the neutral end of the color spectrum.
There’s a reason why black, white, and gray marble slabs are the most popular. They go with almost any style of bathroom or kitchen and blend with an array of colors and designs.
We want our customers to be as well versed in marble countertops as we are, especially if you’re in the market to remodel your home. In this article, you’ll find a detailed list of our most popular marble variants, where they’re sourced from, and the way they look.
Carrara Marble
Carrara is the most common variant of marble and the most popular choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops. It doesn’t end there, though—many customers also choose the Carrara style for flooring and walls as well.
Carrara marble is sourced from Italy, mainly in the regions of Carrara and Tuscany.
Most commonly, Carrara marble can be found in white, but it’s also popular in gray and blue-gray options. The veining in Carrara marble is very fine and feathery with linear lines.
Statuary Marble
Statuary marble is not as popular as Carrara, but it’s equally dramatic and stunning. Also originating from Carrara, it has a reflective, glossy look that sets it apart from the Carrara style—almost in a translucent manner with its fine gray veining. This quality of Statuary marble turns kitchens and bathrooms into aesthetically intriguing places that catch the eye upon entry.
Calacatta Marble
Calacatta marble is also very popular and is often mistaken for Carrara itself because it’s mostly white. However, Calacatta marble is actually much more rare—and therefore more expensive—than Carrara. The reason it’s so rare and expensive is because it originates from the Apuan Mountains in the Carrara region of Italy.
Although Calacatta and Carrara do have their similarities, you can spot the differences when two slabs are side-by-side. Calacatta is pure white with dark, thick gray veins—as opposed to Carrara’s finer veining. Calacatta also has the occasional flecks of gold that Carrara doesn’t have. Calacatta can either be warm or cool, depending on the style of your remodeled room, and has a very rich look to it.
Crema Marfil Marble
Crema Marfil marble, unlike the previous styles, is not white. It’s still neutral, though, ranging from beige to yellow, and has irregular veining throughout. Since it has even and warm undertones, Crema Marfil makes a room feel welcoming and calm. This also means that it pairs well with wooden materials.
Crema Marfil marble is not rare. It’s sourced from Spain, which means it’s affordable and available for more than just countertops. It’s also commonly used for walls, fireplaces, and flooring.
Nero Marquina Marble
Nero Marquina marble is a type of true-black marble with a very fine grain. It originates from the Marquina region is Basque Country, Spain, and is a beautiful all-black stone patterned with pure white veining. Some companies try to pass off other black stones as Nero Marquina marble, but not Lopsang. We supply only the real thing.
In some Nero Marquina slabs, the white veining can overcome the black base—but every slab is different. Depending on the style of your kitchen, you might either want the black to be more prominent, or the white. It all depends on your taste.
Though Nero Marquina is in high demand, it’s not an overly expensive stone. You can get the luxurious look of black marble while still staying within your budget.
Know Your Marble
Most people, when they think of marble, think that it comes in two simple shades—black and white—when that couldn’t be further from the truth.
Here at Lopsang, we’re the experts in marble (and other types of natural stone) and want to make you feel like experts too. If you have questions about your marble countertop or want to look into implementing marble in your remodel, contact us today!
