Learn top 10 facts about Italian Marble now

Where does marble come from in Italy? Why Is Italian marble the best? What is the most expensive Italian marble?

Whenever there’s any talk on construction, Italian marble always comes in your mind as it is one of the most luxurious stones. With its sophisticated and classy finish, Italian marble is increasingly used in many buildings for domestic and commercial purposes.

The soft yet elegant tones bring up the dynamics of the area in which it is fixed. So, it is clearly evident why people choose Italian marble for their homes, but how well do you really know the stone? 

Tough question, right? Worry not; let’s see the top ten facts about Italian marble that you never knew before.

1.  Roman Artists Used Italian Marble In Renaissance Period

Marble is originated in Italy, which makes Italy the hub of this natural stone. Artists in the region used this marble to build statues in the renaissance period.

One can see the examples in The Pantheon, the “Statue of David” by Michelangelo and The Leaning Tower of Pisa. These timeless structures reflect beauty and elegance at their best, no matter how much time has passed since their creation. Did you know that “Michelangelo’s David is 17 ft tall (5.18 meters)?

2.  The Most Popular Italian Marbles Types

Italian marbles are famous all across the globe. Especially Carrara marble and Calacatta marble are some of the most recognized names in the world of Italian Marbles. These offer all white and blue-grey tones and are known to be in existence for over a thousand years.

They come from Carrara in Italy, where Carrara marble is extracted from multiple quarries, but Calacatta marble is extracted from only one.

Statuario marble is somewhat a lesser popular type but is used by many industries. Did you know the white Statuario marble of Carrara is one of the most precious marbles as well?

3.  It Is Exported To Hundreds of Countries

Italian marble gets exported to over a hundred countries (around 140). Being the second biggest marble stone exporter in the world, Italy exports 424.5 Million USD worth marble (on average) to different countries worldwide. It is amazing for a single country to have that much availability of the Italian Marble Stone in the market.

4.  Quarrying Methods For Marble Are Passed On From Generations

Italians are known for using highly technical skills for intricately cutting and carving out their marbles from the mountains having the rich natural stones. These techniques have been passed on to from generation to generation, and their experts use these same techniques for quarrying the marbles.

However, with time they brought innovations in the method to make it more functional and convenient to extract the Italian Natural Stone with the help of advanced technology.

5.  Innovation In Extraction Processes

While metallic samples and hammers were initially used for carrying out quarrying in the early times, they were replaced by explosives in the 18^th century, using which the extraction method became more rapid.

However, the actual improvement was observed later in the 19^th century with the introduction of machines in the market.  Heavy equipment and machinery were used to increase the production of the Italian Natural Stone. For example, the tool wire stone quickly became popular after its release as it could cut multiple blocks at once.

6.  Purity Of Tones And Veins Depend On Geographical Boundaries

The purity of veins and tones of the marble depends on the areas distributed geographically across different continents and countries. Each geographical area has its unique significance when it comes to the different strains of marble.

You cannot find similar marbles in countries present far across from each other.

7.  Marble Color Difference Depends On The Minerals Present Inside

Though geography is a major reason behind the color change and tone of marbles, it is also essential to count different factors that add a synergistic effect to the tone and color of the stone.

The minerals present in the rock are concentrated in one way or another and decide what the resulting tone and color of the marble will be. For example, the presence of chlorite will give the marble green color while hematite will give it tones lying in pale pinks and brick red shades. If you don’t know, the one in the UN General Assembly is full of chromite.

8.  Weights Of Marbles

Not all marbles having the same volume occupy the same weight. Out of the lighter and the heavier ones, the latter is given preference in terms of quality as it means it is denser and is going to last longer with lesser apprehension for breakage.

However, this idea does not apply to all cases, such as in artistry, where a heavier (denser) stone will be difficult to cut in different forms and angles.

9.  Uses Of Marbles Is More Than Just Construction

Marbles are not only used in construction and art; these have a wide application across a multitude of industries. You can find their use from technology to even pharmacy. The forms of the Italian Natural Stone are, however, changed.

For example, a pulverized marble has found its applications in making cases for phones, paint, adhesives, and also for the manufacturing of fine paints. With its basic nature (due to limestone), marbles in their powdered form are also used in making antacids (acidity reducing medications).

10.      Changes In Marble Are Always Happening

It might appear that the manufacturing processes of finished marble can put it in a finalized form, but this is not a case when it comes to this stone. It continuously goes through the processes of metamorphosis where its properties like tone are keep getting changed.

This process is amplified through any external change that includes acidity. The basic nature of the marble is changed with acidic factors like acid rain.

Final Words

These were some interesting Italian marble facts, including comprehensive details. Now when you walk on marble tiles or see a work of art in a museum, you know the majestic history and the science behind this one of a “gem” stone.

It is surely a great conversation starter with someone you want to impress in an art museum or better, challenging your dad for a quiz on marble.