Given a marble’s beauty and timelessness, the variety and types of marble are extensive and boundless in the modern world. Different types exhibit different colors, patterns, and textures based on their origin. That being said, selecting the right type and variety that suits your space is crucial to justify the beauty of marble.

Regardless of the marble type, pre-polished marble stands out as a convenient choice, considering its easy-installation solution, saving time and energy. Its bright finish enhances the natural stone. This option is versatile and suits projects seeking a classy finish without extensive work, like mismatched patterns, later on after installation. Another practical choice is opting for 20 MM marble with appropriate thickness also providing structural integrity across various applications such as countertops, flooring, to wall cladding. However, in India, marble thicknesses vary and are not standardized. Thus, make sure to choose 20 MM marble, which is 30% stronger than the next popular thickness 18 MM.

With 10 highly regarded types filtered out, this blog serves as a guide to help you choose the appropriate choice for your home and other spaces. Let’s dive into this blog to educate ourselves about not only the visual appeal of marble but also its physical characteristics for a longer lifespan. 

For a better understanding, let’s classify the types of marble based on the country of origin.

When you think of marble types, imported marble might top your mind. Imported marble from Italy, Greece, Spain, and Turkey is well-known for its luxury as well as its unmatched quality. The versatility of these imported marble goodness is discussed in detail below.

Types Of Italian Marble

Italian marble grabs the prime spot amongst the extensive array of imported marble. This one-of-a-kind marble’s remarkable usage caters to various applications in your homes, workplaces, commercial spaces, retreats, tourist spots, and more.

1. Carrara Marble

• Carrara marble is the most renowned and widely used range of Italian marble.
• This marble has been used since Ancient Rome for various purposes, including art, architecture, and sculpture.
• Its soft, white to grayish-blue color with fine, linear veining makes it a versatile choice.
• It could be found in floors, kitchen countertops and backsplashes, and bathroom vanities.
• Carrara marble requires periodic sealing and care to protect it from external stains, etching, or heat.

2. Statuario Marble

• Another well-known variety of Italian marble is Statuario marble, which is distinguished by its striking bold grey veining and immaculate white backdrop.
• Numerous renowned artists have used this marble in the past, such as Michelangelo, who carved his famous David with a piece of Statuario.
• Statuario marble is limited in availability and often used in high-end luxury interior spaces.
• Its applications are found in sculptures, countertops, flooring, and wall cladding.
• Statuario marble being relatively soft and porous, requires acid-free cleaning agents for a better and longer life.

Also Checkout >>> Marble Bathroom Designs: 15 Ideas For Your Home

3. Calacatta Marble

• Calacatta marble is striking and dramatic. This opulent stone mined in the Carrara region, is rarer and costlier relatively. 
• The characteristic veining of Calacatta stands out because of its stark contrast with the brilliant white background.
• Each slab of Calacatta marble has a rich, unique appearance due to the dramatic veins, which can vary in color from light grey to gold. 
• Applications of Calacatta marble in kitchen countertops, luxurious interiors, feature walls, and flooring are common.
• The use of sealers and cleaners with a daily cleaning routine is necessary to maintain the rareness of Calacatta marble.

Types Of Spanish Marble

Spanish marble is known for its origin on the Mediterranean coast. Spanish-origin marble is famous for exhibiting varied colors, which is particularly an ideal choice for sophisticated interior design. This marble finds its use in a variety of applications including monuments, fireplaces, fountains, and other exterior design elements.

1. Emperador Marble

• Emperador marble is a dark-toned marble with rich brown shades and light-colored veining patterns, adding warmth to your interiors.
• It is available in two main types—Dark Emperador, which features a deep chocolate brown base, and Light Emperador, which has a lighter beige tone.
• It is naturally beautiful and ideal for both modern and contemporary design styles.
• It is a popular choice of marble for kitchen countertops, flooring, and wall cladding
• Emperador marble is durable but requires care, as the marble is prone to staining and scratching if not properly maintained.

2. Belgium Black Marble

• This is a highly soft and natural stone usually characterized by its color, black.
• Belgium black marble offers occasional gray or white veining patterns.
• Apart from its deep and uniform color pattern, the marble has a smooth and polished surface.
• Belgium black marble is widely used in furnishings, bed headboards, monuments and structures like the Palace of Versailles, etc.
• Like any other marble, it requires regular maintenance and care to prevent scratching or staining and to maintain its polished, glossy finish over time.

Types Of Greek Marble

Greek marble is historically significant through the past. It can be seen in the iconic monuments and sculptures in Greek architecture. The timeless beauty of Greek marble proves to be the best choice even in current-day architecture. Moreover, Thassos marble is one of the well-known marble types from the Thassos Island.

1. Thassos Marble

• Thassos marble is known for its pure, translucent appearance and it is often regarded as the whitest marble on the planet.
• Its snow-white finish and minimal veining patterns make it an ideal choice for applications requiring a clean, minimalist look.
• Thassos marble associates with high-end designs and projects, considering its luxurious beauty.
• Its applications are found in decorative elements, floorings, countertops, etc.,
• Thassos marble, being a premium white marble, requires regular care to maintain its pristine, reflective appearance. Routine cleaning, sealing, and polishing are also required to prevent scratches and stains.

Types of Turkish Marble

Turkish marble has established itself for its multiple varieties, beauty, and unmatched qualities of marble types in the world. Turkey is one of the world’s largest marble producers, having had centuries of marble quarrying history along with a rich diversity of colors and patterns. Turkish beige marble, Turkish Bianco Reale, and Spider Beige marble are a few of the famous Turkish marble.

1. Turkish Beige Marble

• As the name suggests, Turkish beige exhibits warm beige tones and subtle veining patterns.
• A variety of finishes suit Turkish beige marble, offering a unique look to the interiors and also exteriors.
• The color tones of this marble, not too bold yet too subtle, prove its application in extensive scale projects, especially residential and commercial.
• Turkish beige marble with intricate mosaic designs, wall claddings, fireplace surrounds, etc, adds warmth to the space.
• It requires regular cleaning with mild, non-acidic substances to prevent moisture damage and other such issues.

2. Turkish Bianco Reale Marble

• Bianco Reale marble is a pure white marble with fine veining patterns. 
• Additionally, this marble can transform any space into a tranquil haven, with its character of calmness and sophistication.
• It gives a sense of balance to a space with its warm color schemes.
• Bianco Reale finds its applications in flooring, decorative elements, countertops, etc.
• Regular cleaning, sealing, and attention to spills or stains are necessary to maintain the pristine nature of the marble.

Types Of Indian Marble

Indian Marble is known for its variety and durability and India is one of the largest producers of marble in the world. These marbles stand as a perfect example of finesse in Indian craftsmanship.

1. Makrana Marble

• Makrana marble has a pure white appearance and is well-known in India.
• This marble has a natural sheen and takes well to polishing, retaining its gloss for many years without extensive maintenance.
• One of the strongest marbles, Makrana is highly resistant to water and weathering, making it ideal for both interior and exterior applications.
• The most famous application of Makrana marble visible in historic monuments—the Taj Mahal, Victoria Memorial, Moti Masjid, etc., sculptures, and structures.
• Makrana marble is relatively porous, which requires regular sealing as well as proper cleaning of the surface.

2. Onyx Marble

• Onyx is a luxurious and highly decorative natural marble with a gorgeous appearance and translucence. 
• This marble has a distinct, bold look with vibrant color hues and intricate patterns.
• Onyx is a soft and brittle marble, which has unique textures and finishes.
• Application of Onyx is popular in flooring, countertops, feature walls, etc.,
• Gentle cleaning and regular sealing is required to maintain the smooth nature of the marble.

Conclusion

In conclusion, types of marble offer a variety of design possibilities, where each type brings various aesthetic and functional qualities. Going with a simple white marble for its timelessness or a more daring color variety to generate a statement, ultimately, pre-polished finishes and suitable 20MM thickness will ensure your marble selection brings beauty, resilience, and lasting value to any space. Moreover, having been treasured through the ages, if you value timeless appeal, complicated patterns, bold announcements, or some combination of such qualities different marble types offer limitless variations.

Content Writing and Research: Ar. Anusha Sridhar