Carrara VS Calacatta Marble

Marble, a naturally occurring stone primarily characterized by its typically white color, is extracted from the Earth's surface. 

When it comes to popular choices for kitchen countertops, marble often takes the cake, coming in a wide range of colors and patterns, readily available to elevate any space with its breathtaking aesthetics. 

Proper maintenance of marble can significantly enhance the resale value of your property. It is one of the higher maintenance and more expensive material types. While more affordable alternatives exist, the pristine gloss of genuine marble comes at a cost. It's essential to ensure your budget allows for some flexibility on the higher end when browsing for the perfect marble for your space. 

Now, here comes the fun part- deciding which type of marble you would like!

If you’ve been browsing, you’ve come across Carrara and Calacatta marbles. Both are stunning options and both come with their own set of pros and cons from cost to maintenance and design.

Grab a snack and take a seat, it’s time for a quick lesson!

Calcutta Marble

Calacatta marble, a type of Carrara Marble, originates from the broader Tuscany region of Italy. Characteristically, Calacatta marble boasts a predominantly white base. Typically, the greater the whiteness of the base, the higher the marble's cost. 

What truly sets Calacatta marble apart is its distinctive veining. These veins are notably thick, bold, sharply defined and often display a spectrum of colors, ranging from dark-gray and beige to deeper browns and even hints of gold. While Calacatta marble may feature fewer veins, these veins create a striking and vivid contrast against the pristine white backdrop.

Carrara Marble 

Carrara marble, hailing from the Apuan Alps in northwest Italy near Carrara, exhibits a soft off-white or blue-gray hue gently veined throughout its composition. 

Historically, this exquisite marble adorned statues and graced the grand facades of public and commercial edifices. 

However, nowadays, Carrara marble has become a more common choice for residential homes. The fundamental character of Carrara marble features a light-gray base with subtle bluish undertones. The veins maintain a light-gray coloration, albeit slightly darker than the base. Notably, the veins within Carrara marble possess an understated elegance, lacking prominence. Instead, they exude a fluid and feathery quality, seamlessly weaving into and dissipating within the marble's base. 

When it comes to looks, it can be relatively simple to choose between the two. Calacatta is all about the veining. It’s the perfect marble to take center stage. When you think of marble, you’re probably thinking about Calacatta.

Carrara is much more understated and feathery. If you would like a different part of the room to take center stage (maybe you have bold cabinets or flooring), Carrara will be the best option for your design choice. 

Which do you prefer?

Calacatta is rarer and can be pricier. Both materials require more maintenance than other stones and will need to be sealed and resealed due to their porous nature.

Schedule an appointment with us to learn about which marble is right for each room in your space! We would love to educate you on your options.