Why Is Marble So Expensive

Why does marble cost so much?

The fluctuation in price is affected by the location of the quarry, demand, availability, and actual slab choice and thickness. While all marble is formed the same way — limestone is exposed to high temperatures and pressures — they are not all equal in quality and beauty, which will determine the price.

What color marble is the most expensive?

The White Statuario marble of Carrara is one of the most precious marbles in the world. Few materials, in fact, can compete with its transparent sheen and its incredibly compact structure.

Is marble more expensive than granite?

Granite is less expensive than marble, starting at roughly $75/square foot installed and $100 more than that for higher-end stone. Installed marble countertops start at around $100/square foot and can go over $200.

Why is marble so special?

Marble is basically crystalized limestone. When limestone (a sedimentary rock) is met with high temperature and great pressure, large crystals form and bind together to create marble (a metamorphic rock.) This naturally varies based on the location of the marble, making every marble slab completely unique.

Which marble is the cheapest?

Typically, Carrara is the most affordable marble. And although most Carrara is mined in Italy, the beautiful stone is found in China and other countries, too. It’s hard to know how much marble will cost you. Price jumps with thickness, finishes, size of the slab and edging.

Is marble difficult to maintain?

Marble is a porous, high-maintenance surface. We could get into the geology of this, but the takeaway is that marble is vulnerable to staining agents (like wine, juice and oil) that seep deep into the rock.

What is the most beautiful marble?

Calacatta White Marble is a type of white marble which present incredible looks of its beauty of nature that appears to have been naturally decorated with special grey veins. A spectacular natural stone that will always place the spotlight on the floors, walls, or countertops.

What’s the rarest marble?

If you have a Latticinio core swirl marble featuring a red or blue core, then you have the rarest of all designs and a higher valued marble.

Is Chinese marble poor quality?

Unfortunately, with poor processing quality, even a good piece of marble can come out dull. Some of the white marbles from China have a more “dull” effect and doesn’t have that clean look.

What will clean marble?

There are special marble cleaning solutions out there, but regular dish soap works well. You can mix a little soap into warm water in a spray bottle or simply put a few drops onto a wet cloth. Wipe the marble surface down with this sudsy cloth and follow immediately with a rinse and a dry.

Does marble chip easily?

Marble is not known for being low maintenance: it’s not heat resistant, it etches easily, and it can chip if you accidentally whack, say, a heavy stockpot against it.

Is granite or marble better for headstone?

Granite is a much harder material and lasts considerably longer than marble. Marble is softer and will likely deteriorate over time by cracking, chipping, and eroding, especially in outdoor elements. It is common to see marble tombstones that are decades or centuries old that are very difficult to read.

Is marble still popular?

When it comes to selecting kitchen countertops, marble remains the top choice for many homeowners. It’s no surprise that marble countertops and backsplashes are so popular—the material has been attracting fans for millennia.

Which country produces the most marble?

Italy and China were the world leaders, each representing 16% of world production, while Spain and India produced 9% and 8%, respectively. In 2018 Turkey was the world leader in marble export, with 42% share in global marble trade, followed by Italy with 18% and Greece with 10%.

What is unique about marble?

Unlike granite and other natural stone types, marble is a softer stone. Marble is naturally more porous, which makes it softer. Since it is softer than other stone types, it makes it a great material for sculptures.

What does real marble cost?

The average cost for marble slab countertops is $60 per square foot but can range from $40 to $100 per square foot.2. Marble Prices Per Square Foot. Type Per Square Foot Carrara $40 Calacatta $180 Statuario $50 Danby $80.

What can I do with a piece of marble?

Here are 14 ways of using marble scraps to great effect—from small, simple hacks to architectural ideas. Prop up bookends. Turn a radiator into a sideboard. Create an ad-hoc backsplash. Frame a sink. Mount open shelving. Install a scrap-marble ledge. Lay a tiny kitchenette counter. Hack an instant kitchen station.

What is Danby marble?

Imperial Danby Marble is a very striking stone that comes from deep within the quarry’s twisting mile-and-a-half deep veins. As the rarest variety of marble in the quarry, it’s admired for its light to medium veining. Typically featuring striations of soft gray and a warm honey or caramel color.

Is marble harmful to health?

Though granite, marble and “engineered stone” all can produce harmful silica dust when cut, ground or polished, the artificial stone typically contains much more silica, says a CDC researcher tracking cases of silicosis. He says dust from cutting the slabs to order was everywhere.

What is the most popular marble?

Carrara marble is the most common marble type, which is why it is also the least expensive marble on this list.

Why does marble stain so easily?

Marble is a soft, porous surface. Ask anyone with marble countertops and they’ll say the same: Even small water spills can lead to spots and stains. “Marble is a calcium carbonate, which is a much softer and more porous natural stone than granite, another popular kitchen and bathroom finish,” Sciarrino explains.