What Is Marble and How Is It Formed?
Marble is a natural stone, formed under the Earth. Therefore, the stone can be classified as a Metamorphic rock. This means that over time, layers upon layers of limestone & calcium carbonate were subjected to heat and pressure. This creates the beautiful stone pieces that we use to make your dream project. The black and white swirls and colors throughout the stone are made from mineral deposits like clay, silt, sand, iron oxides, or chert. The stone is then quarried from the Earth in big chunks or “slabs”. Your countertops are custom cut from these slabs to your exact measurements.
The different names of Marble come from the location where they were quarried. Because some marbles are rarer than others, this means some types of marble are more expensive than others. Different types of stone include Calacatta, Borghini, Carrara, Statutario, Emperador, and Crema Marfil. Most of these marbles come from Italy, Spain, and Greece.
Calacatta Borghini Marble, quarried from the Borghini quarry in Italy
Due to the porous nature of Marble, your countertops MUST be sealed, ideally once a year. At International Granite & Stone, we offer a 15-year sealer option called DryTreat, so you don’t have to worry as much over the years. Marble is a softer stone, first introduced to the world by Italian artist Michelangelo, as the perfect sculpting stone. Due to its softness, Marble is more susceptible to etching, staining, and acidity.
Natural Stone countertops require professional installation, due to the weight of the stones. Our installers are professionally trained to install your countertops to perfection, we do not recommend Do It Yourself (DIY) Installation.
Marble Quarry
When purchasing your stone, it’s a good idea to buy a full slab if possible. Buying from a full slab can help to decrease the number of seams needed to cover your countertop project. Therefore, a seam may be needed. A seam is when the transition between two pieces of granite, usually sealed together with epoxy to make sure food or bacteria can’t get in there. At International Granite & Stone, we use Color Magic Epoxy to ensure minimal seams.
At International Granite & Stone, we offer a FREE In-Home Design Consultation with one of our Design Specialists to offer advice and design options to help you match your existing cabinetry to your countertops. Our specialist will briefly ask you over the phone about your color preferences, in order to have the appropriate samples ready for you to view in your home. However, pictures may not always exhibit all aspects of color. It is important to view selected colors in your own lighting, to ensure you will always love the color you choose for your home before purchasing it. Call (813) 559-0897 today to set up an appointment!
Fun Fact!
At International Granite and Stone, our most popular marble color is Calacatta Gold.
Calacatta Gold Marble
