The luxurious Calacatta marble and Statuario marble can make a design statement in your home. Click here to learn all about them!
Derived from the Greek word ‘marmaros’, marble means shining stone. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most high-end stones worldwide. Even then, some categories of marble are higher in quality than others. And when it comes to radiating elegance and luxury, nothing beats the two stones, Calacatta and Statuario.
These are extracted from the quarries of Italy — specifically in the Carrara region of Northern Italy. And while both may resemble in appearance, they are unique in their own ways.
But what is so famous about the most famous and desired marble varieties of the world? In this article, we will talk all about the two most valuable white marbles, Calacatta and Statuario, including their features, specialties, pricing, differences, and more
Calacatta Marble
A top-tier, highly sought-after stone, Calacatta is quarried in the Apuan Mountains of Carrara, Italy. It has a creamy white background with contrasting and dramatic veining. This results in thick and predominant patterns throughout the surface of Calacatta.
While the veins can be grey, they are usually warm yellow or brown. As a result, you can observe brown and/or gold undertones during careful examination of Calacatta. Moreover, this marble has a high content of iron.
It is suitable to use for interior projects, such as kitchen worktops, backsplashes, flooring, and in bathrooms.
How Much Does Calacatta Cost — Price Of Calacatta
The price of Calacatta varies considerably. Generally, it begins from €200 and goes all the way to €1000 per square meter. As the background becomes purer and whiter, the desirability of the Calacatta marble increases, and so does the cost.
What Are The Standard Sizes Of Calacatta Marble?
Calacatta marble comes in the following dimensions:
Calacatta Slabs:
- Length: 330/280 cm
- Height: 200/170 cm
- Thickness: starting from 2/3 cm
Calacatta Tiles:
- 30×30
- 60×30
- 45×45
- 60×60
- Thickness: starting from 1/2
Simultaneously, you can source Calacatta marble slabs cut to size if you are looking for specific dimensions.
What Types Of Calacatta Marble Exist, and What Are The Differences?
Calacatta marble is subdivided into further categories:
- Calacatta Vagli Marble: predominantly milky white touches of grey and gold
- Calacatta Borghini Marble: vibrant designfeaturing veining tones of grey and subtler veins of gold
- Calacatta Michelangelo Marble: consistent and fine veining on a (highly emphasized) crisp white background
- Calacatta Gold Marble: thick veins of grey and white, with very few gold veins
- Calacatta Monet Marble: color-tinged white marble with subtle tones of burgundy, blue, and/or green
- Calacatta Macchia Vecchia Marble: pronounced bands of grey and gold veining on a crisp white background
- Calacatta Viola Marble: incorporates deep violet veining on a classic white background
Statuario Marble
With pristine quality and a beautiful aesthetic, Statuario is found in the mountain quarry region above Carrara, Italy. The marble features a bright white background, similar to the ice-white hue. This is complemented by fascinating grey veins in bold and striking patterns.
Statuario is ideal for interior use, especially in kitchen and bathroom countertops. Other applications include table and vanity tops, floors, fireplaces, and covering walls.
How Much Does Statuario Cost — Price Of Statuario
The availability of Statuario is much more limited than other types of marble, making it one of the most exclusive and high-end marbles around the world. Similar to Calacatta, it begins from €200 per square meter, and can be as high as €1000 per square meter. This, again, depends on the type of veining and how pure and white the background is, which increases the demand for the marble.
What Are The Standard Sizes Of Statuario Marble?
Statuario marble slabs come in a variety of sizes, with the standard ones being similar to Calacatta:
Statuario Slabs:
- Length: 330/280 cm
- Height: 200/170 cm
- Thickness: starting from 2/3 cm
Statuario Tiles:
- 30×30
- 60×30
- 45×45
- 60×60
- Thickness: starting from 1/2
You can also find these in cut to size marble tiles and marble blocks.
What Types Of Statuario Marble Exist, and What Are The Differences?
There are two main types of Statuario marble:
- Statuario Venato: bright white background with straight but busy veining — these are darker and more distinctive than the type below
- Statuario Bianco: typically milky white with fading light veins, while some pieces can have few but big and thick vein crossings
Differences Between Calacatta and Statuario
Taken together, Calacatta and Statuario represent the top bracket of the most luxurious types of marble around the world. However, they have their fair share of differences — these are important to note while making your selection.
- Calacatta has a creamier background, while Statuario is ice-white.
- Calacatta has larger veining than Statuario.
- From light grey to dark grey to blue, Calacatta comes in a wider range of vein hues. On the other hand, Statuario is more monochromatic, with veins in different shades of grey. Statuario also has a lack of gold veining.
- Calacatta has more busy veining, while, ideally, Statuario has a limited number of sizeable veins.
- Iron is more commonly found in Calacatta.
Final Words: Calacatta and Statuario Marble
While both Calacatta and Statuario marble are high-end and stunning in their own ways, the one to choose depends on your personal taste. If you’d like a bold style on a creamy background, Calacatta is a good choice. For folks looking for a more subtle style with grey, sizeable veining on an ice-white background, Statuario is the way to go. Both types of marble are available in polished and honed finishes, and are suitable for interior use. As such, they will work perfectly for kitchens and bathrooms as well as fireplaces, floors, and more!
Tip: If you’re looking for a mirroring effect in your installation, similar to an open book, ask your construction company about the concept of marble bookmatch!
Before we wind up — we’d like to reiterate that marble is a natural material, so you can expect it to vary from block to block.
