Marble

Marble is a natural stone formed when limestone is transformed by heat and pressure; it is mostly calcite. Every slab is one of a kind.

Marble turns dull where acid touches it, so it is a material to choose knowing how it is looked after.

Key properties

Property	Value
Hardness	Mohs 3 (granite is 6-7)
Density	About 2,700 kg/m³
Weight of a top	About 54 kg per m² at 20 mm and about 81 kg per m² at 30 mm
Water absorption	Varies by stone; Carrara is 0.10%
Acid	Calcite reacts with acid: lemon, vinegar, wine, coffee and tomato dull the surface

A stain and an etch are different things. A stain is a coloured liquid getting into the pores. An etch is acid dissolving a thin layer of the surface and leaving a dull patch.

Stones commonly used in furniture

Stone	Origin	Look
Carrara	Tuscany, Italy	White to light grey ground, broken grey veining
Calacatta	Carrara area	Creamy white, thick grey to gold veins
Statuario	Carrara area	Bright white, bold grey veins
Nero Marquina	Basque Country, Spain	Black with white veins
Dark Emperador	Alicante and Murcia, Spain	Brown with beige veins; porous, usually resin-treated
Marmara white	Marmara Island, Türkiye	Off-white with straight grey veins
Afyon white and violet	Afyonkarahisar, Türkiye	White with soft grey or yellow veins; lilac-purple
Muğla white	Muğla, Türkiye	White with grey veins
Bursa beige	Bursa, Türkiye	Warm beige, cloudy, fine veins
Elazığ cherry	Elazığ, Türkiye	Deep red to burgundy with white calcite veins
Travertine	Denizli, Türkiye	Not a marble but a spring-water limestone; naturally porous

Marble and its alternatives

Material	Acid	Hardness	Note
Marble	Etches	Mohs 3	Veining runs through the stone; can be re-polished
Granite	Not affected	Mohs 6-7
Quartzite	Not affected	Mohs 7	Marble is sometimes sold under the name quartzite
Travertine, onyx	Etch	Soft
Porcelain, sintered stone	Not affected	Hard	Needs no sealing; the pattern is printed on the surface and a chip cannot be re-polished
Engineered quartz	Not affected	Mohs 7	Contains resin; sensitive to high heat and UV light

Choosing a surface finish

Finish	Look	Etch marks	Scratches and oil
Polished	Mirror gloss	Most visible
Honed	Satin	Less visible	Shows oil and dark liquids more easily
Brushed or leathered	Textured	Less visible	Hides scratches and water spots best

The finish changes how visible a mark is. It does not change how the stone reacts to acid.

Sealing

A sealer does not make stone stain-proof; it makes it more stain-resistant. It does not prevent etching. To check it, put a drop of water on the surface: if the drop beads, the protection is still working; if the stone darkens within a few minutes, it is time to reseal.

Natural features are not defects

The veining and shade of every slab are different. A fissure is a natural separation along the crystal boundaries: a fingernail glides over it, and it rarely affects the strength of the stone. A crack comes from handling or fabrication, and a fingernail catches in it. In some marbles natural voids are filled during fabrication; this is standard practice.

Care

Clean with a pH-neutral cleaner, or warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid, and dry with a soft cloth.
Put a coaster under every glass, above all with alcohol or citrus drinks.
Put a trivet under hot dishes.
Blot spills; do not wipe them across the surface.
Repeat the water-drop test every few months.

Never use: lemon, vinegar, acidic or abrasive cleaners, scouring powder or cream.

Removing stains. For organic stains such as coffee or tea, use 12% hydrogen peroxide; for oil, detergent or acetone. A stubborn stain is drawn out with a poultice of absorbent powder left for 24 to 48 hours. A light etch can be removed with marble polishing powder; a deep one needs professional re-polishing.

Frequently asked questions