Marble countertops are still considered the peak in decorating and home renovations. A home that has marble countertops has a luxurious and timeless look that home owners treasure and visitors marvel over. While countertops are one of the most common uses for marble, home decor with this medium also can include pillars, floors and statues. While marble does require its own strict set of care for longevity, it is a fairly easy product to maintain. Aside from being a household kitchen favorite, here are other interesting facts and uses for this natural stone.

1.  In 2006 6.5 million tons of Calcium carbonate was produced, calcium carbonate is finely ground marble and is found in products such as toothpaste.

2.  The game called Marbles originally was played using real sculpted marbles. Alternatives were being researched due to the expense of this game. A glassblower invented marbles made from glass in 1846 which forever changed the product that was used to play this popular game.

3.  The Statue of David was carved from white marble from Carrara, Italy.

4.  A 3D replica of the Ferrari 250 GTO was carved from a piece of Arbaescato marble. It took 100 hours of carving with drills set up in one of the world’s largest shaping mills and then was finished by hand. This car retails for 30,000 pounds.

5.  Rolling pins are a favored cooking item for chef’s as it does not conduct or transfer heat. The weight of the pin also aids well in making pastries. Marble rolling pins also look fantastic when sitting on a marble countertop.

6.  The Danby Quarry in Vermont Danby is the world’s largest underground marble quarry. The same entrance has been used for over 100 years and the marble is mined approximately 1 ½ miles underground.

7.  The exterior of the Lincoln Memorial is made from Yule Marble mined in Colorado. Yule Marble is quarried inside a mountain over 9000 feet above sea level in Yuke Creek Valley.

8.  An Italian immigrant named David Alleno spent 29 years working in the Recoleta Cemetery. This gave him plenty of time to consider his own death and resting place. He purchased a plot in this same cemetery and then travelled to his homeland to have an artist recreate his carving. His marble likeness was complete with the broom, watering can and his keys. He died in 1915 and was laid to rest in his pre-designed tomb.

Marble has worked its way through each generation for centuries with various uses in various countries. However, no matter the use or the location, it has always been considered a stone of great prestige and value.  Different colors of marble used to depict different areas of the world that it was quarried from. Somebody who wishes to have marble countertops in their home can choose from a variety of options to suit their needs. From marble countertops to marble decorations, this wonderful natural stone will always be a considered a household luxury. With the countless options of type, style and color, adding marble to your home will add wonders to its own value and style.

When you think of marble, some things that may come to mind are sophistication, beauty and class. It has been used in every possible interior and exterior application, and is becoming increasingly more popular for countertops.  It is available in an array of colors, and only becomes more aesthetically pleasing over time.  It is suitable for any color scheme or style in any kitchen, which is what makes it suitable for marble countertops.

 Why choose marble?

Marble has the ability to stain, etch or scratch—although these qualities often give it the character a lot of people look for in marble—and has veining mineral deposits throughout, which add to its specific aesthetic beauty.  It is also affordable, is considered to be durable, and has a quality that is timeless. Marble countertops are available in stores all over the world in slabs in various styles.

Another reason people choose marble is because natural stone is low maintenance and easy to care for when it is properly sealed. It is, however, recommended that you sweep your marble countertops with a pH-balanced neutral cleaner or warm water regularly.

Marble has become more varied over the years, which creates more possibilities for its use in your home. The color will vary from piece to piece and between lots, so you will be able to choose any color you desire to coordinate with the rest of your house for marble countertops. For example, you can choose “Damasco Light”, “Crema Marfil”, “Calacatta Siena”, and “Calacatta Classico” for your marble countertops. You can also choose “Breccia Pernice” as well as “Black Pearl”.

If you are looking for some lighter colors in your house, the “Damasco Light” and “Crema Marfil” will both be suitable choices for your marble countertops. The “Damasco Light” has a beige tone with a hint of etchings in the material. The “Crema Marfil” has a creamy beige tone, just as the name suggests.

Moreover, the “Calacatta Siena” has a golden tone with some black splashed onto it, while the “Calacatta Classico” is more refined and has a sophisticated look. It has a smooth, white texture with some beige splashed onto it. The “Breccia Pernice” and the “Black Pearl” are more suitable for houses with darker colors. The “Breccia Pernice” has a rough texture with a splash of brown and red, while the “Black Pearl” is a sea of black. These colors are just a hint of what you may find for marble countertops.

The benefits of marble

Marble and other natural stones are becoming very popular because they are highly durable and have a timeless quality that never goes out of style.  Marble countertops are available in different styles and are flexible in design and patterning.

Natural stone is made from nature; it is non-toxic and holds no man-made substance that could harm the environment or the people around it. The chemicals used in processing are safe for everyday use and will allow you to prepare food right on your marble countertops. It is unable to hold onto bacteria or allergens, which makes it practical as well as beautiful. It will add a certain level of class to one of the busiest rooms in your house, which is the kitchen.

If you flip through a home or garden magazine, or look at popular real estate and renovation shows on television, you will notice a common trend: many people want to put granite in their homes, such as interior granite countertops and exterior features as well. Granite is found in many countries around the world, like Spain, China, Brazil, the United States, and Canada (among other places).

Why do people like granite so much?

People love using granite because of its beauty and durability. Granite is one of the hardest forms of stone available, in fact only diamonds, rubies, and sapphires are harder than granite. Granite is also resistant to heat and stains. Due to its durability, granite can be used both inside and outside. In fact granite is often used for making statues because of its ability to stand up to the elements like the wind and rain. Inside the home, granite countertops are used in many kitchens and bathrooms, too.

What is in granite?

Granite is a type of stone or rock that is naturally occurring and found all over the world. Granite is made up of many different minerals, the most common being mica, quartz, and feldspar. The granite that is found on earth can vary in color and look depending on what minerals (and the proportions of each type of mineral) are in the granite. Some granite countertops might look grey, while others have a more pinkish or light hue.

Do not be fooled by faux granite– real granite countertops are best for a kitchen

Some retailers will try to sell off faux granite as being as good as the real thing, but it is not the same. Faux granite is usually just laminate that is made to look like granite, but people should know that faux granite countertops are not the same as real granite countertops. For one thing, laminate is not a natural stone. Laminate is a manmade plastic material, and therefore is not as durable as real granite. Laminates also cannot hold up to stains—with granite most stains can be easily wiped away with a cloth and nonabrasive cleaner without any permanent damage, but a stain on laminate countertop (even when wiped away) could cause discoloration. Laminate is also not resistant to high heat the way granite is, and could be damage by exposure.

Quality over quantity

While laminate and faux granite may be cheaper than real granite, it is still best to go with a high quality and durable product like granite. This is particularly true when it comes to high traffic areas of the home like the kitchen. With granite countertops in a kitchen or bathroom, the price paid for the product is like an investment that will not only look good, but can stand the test of time and help add equity to a property’s value. For these reasons and more, granite is the natural choice for everyone to use.