Since marble is quarried from nature, each piece of marble is unique in its pattern and colours. This means no two marble slabs are the same and hence they offer one-of-a-kind aesthetics to any home where it’s installed. If you want to add an exquisite touch to your kitchen or living space, marble is a great choice.
Marble worktop makes a style statement without a doubt. This natural stone is one of the most expensive materials used in sprucing up houses or commercial properties. Although marble comes in many different styles and aesthetics, the most common types of Italian marble are Calacatta, Carrara and Statuario (also called Statuary).
Moreover, all these three marble types are not the same. These are quite different from one another in terms of appearance and origin. Let’s find out the differences between these three marbles:
Carrara Marble:
As the name indicates, Carrara marble originates from the city of Carrara in northern Tuscany, Italy. It boasts soft veining and has a blue-grey appearance. The greyish background highlights subtle grey feathery, linear veins and flecks. Compared to other marbles, Carrara is the most subtle variety.
Calacatta Marble:
Calacatta marble is quarried in Carrara city in Italy. The same location often confuses Calacatta and Carrara marbles. But both have a distinctive appearance. Calacatta marble boasts a pure white background with dramatic and elegant gold and grey veining. Unlike Carrara, there is no linear pattern on Calacatta marble. It even has bolder and heavy veining than Carrara marble. Besides that, the golden touch gives a more luxurious appeal to this marble type.
Statuario Marble:
Statuario marble is also quarried in Italy. It is an exclusive natural stone, featuring distinct grey and gold veining all over the surface, along with the bold, striking pattern. This marble type contains bold and heavy veining blended with some thinner patterns. It is even considered the major white marble in the industry. It has a high demand, but limited availability makes it one of the rare finds.
Price differences in Carrara, Calacatta and Statuario
The price varies depending on demand and supply. Out of the three, Carrara is the best-priced natural stone. This is because it is quarried in large number. You have to pay somewhere between £60 and £80 per square foot. Since Calacatta is a rarer marble and also more coveted, it costs around £201 per square foot. Even Statuario is priced similar to Calacatta marble. However, the price also varies as per the supplier. A big-box retailer would charge you less, whereas the rates of an exclusive marble supplier are more. The price of these marble slabs also depends on its thickness.
Finish and Sizes
- Carrara marble comes in both polished and honed finishes. It is available in different sizes, such as 3/4’’, 36’’x36’’, 24’’x36’’, 24’’x24’’, 18’’x18’’, 16’’x32’’ and 12”x12” slabs.
- Calacatta marble is available in both honed and polished finish. It comes in the following sizes – 3/4’’, 36’’x36’’, 24’’x24’’, 18’’x18’’, 12’’x24’’ and 12”x12” slabs.
- Statuario marble comes in both honed and polished finish. It is available in the following sizes: 3/4’’, 36’’x36’’, 24’’x24’’, 18’’x18’’ and 12”x12” slabs.
Which marble is suitable for a kitchen?
According to experts, you must choose Carrara for your kitchen countertop. This is because it is a darker stone, so it can easily conceal any food stains, discolouration and scorch marks.
If you prefer to keep your kitchen clean often, you may go for white marbles, such as Statuario and Calacatta. Nonetheless, the classy and elegant appeal of all three marbles would enhance any traditional or contemporary interior.
