White Marble
No longer shunned from the kitchen, white marble is increasingly used for countertops. It offers a warm, classic look unparalleled by other stones and color ranges. Also, there is a long history of white marble quarries and usage, in both Italy and the United States, which you are part of when you select white marble.
White marble has a long and proud history in Italy. An industry that started over 2,000 years ago, it is part of the Italian culture. The quarries are located in the Apuane mountain range, rich in white, world-famous Carrara marble, which reaches approximately 6,500 feet. Originally extracted using chisels and powder explosives, these quarries now utilize every modern technology available. Italians have long used white marble in every application, from architecture to art, as countertops, window sills, door jams, and curbs. . .its use is abundant. Marble from the Apuane mountains was even used by Michaelangelo to sculpt his masterpieces, and the great artist himself worked in the quarries for a short time. Given their long relationship with the stone, Italians understand and appreciate the variety in veining and movement, as well as how the stone changes due to usage, which adds to its depth and character.
In the United States, white marble has been quarried for over 100 years. The renowned Danby marble quarry is located in Vermont. Marble from this quarry stands alone when it comes to performance, beauty, excellence and durability in North America. It has been used in the construction of many notable projects, including the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery and numerous state capitol buildings.
The increase in popularity of white marble is partly due to a better understanding of the stone. . .the beauty of it and the reality of caring for it. If you’re looking for a durable, elegant countertop, that will last a long time with proper maintenance, marble is an excellent choice. It is a very hard, durable stone. It is recommended that it be sealed when installed and re-sealed every 6 months. Wiping a marble countertop with a damp cloth will keep it clean. Cleaning up spills quickly will minimize any “beauty marks” caused by usage. Will it stain, etch and scratch? Potentially, yes. There are products to remove stains, but you can use mats or coasters to eliminate them from occurring. Additionally, a honed marble (vs. polished) is easier to maintain yourself. Using a poultice will remove most stains. You may choose to have your marble professionally buffed or polished periodically, or you may wish to leave any marks to add to the stone’s natural patina.
Marble is an exquisite stone that embodies the beauty of nature. With its beautiful veining and patterns, it is sure to capture attention in any application.
Arizona Tile offers a variety of white marble in slab format (2cm and 3cm thickness, plus polished and honed finishes), as well as tile.