MARBLE & GRANITE : precious differences
BY D.C. BHANDARI
Marble and granite are natural stones of extreme beauty. Marble is elegant and bright. Granite is strong and full of energy. Choosing between the two is difficult but not impossible. We must love and know them, understand them, to be able to use them to the fullest.
You can do this too, letting yourself be moved by the countless proposals that only a ‘Supreme entity’ like Nature could create…
marble and granite
The easiest way to distinguish marble from granite is definitely that of visual impact.
The marble has a homogeneous surface, with more or less thin veins that can vary in color intensity, while the granite can be recognized by its grain composition.
Since marble is a metamorphic rock, which is born from a process of transformation of its elements due to temperature and pressure, it appears to the eye as a predominantly homogeneous surface, crossed by more or less thin veins.
While MARBLE & GRANITE, is an intrusive igneous rock that derives from the crystallization of the lava and its texture is characterized by a grain ranging from medium to gross, with the occasional presence of microcrystals.
Furthermore, the names of these two natural stones also help us identify how to distinguish marble from granite: marble derives from the ancient Greek màrmaros meaning ‘shining stone’ while granite comes from the Latin granum, with aclear reference to ‘grain’ as a small entity.
marble and granite: the expert’s eye
One of the fundamental elements into making a due comparison between marble and granite is the concept of hardness. Leaving aside the technical definition, hardness can be described as the difficulty that the material places to the cut, to its working, to the breaking and to the action of external agents.
physical characteristics, marble lends itself very well to the creation of artworks and furnishing elements.
If we make a comparison between marble and granite on the hardness point of view, granite is certainly more resistant, as demonstrated by its applications on floors, even outdoor, very popular public places, work surfaces of bars and kitchens. The marble, on the contrary, features a lower hardness that however allows this material to be more versatile in the different processes and to propose itself as an irreplaceable partner for the most diverse design projects, artefacts artistic and coatings.
It is important to know that marble fears external agents and acid substances but does not present significant problems with oily substances, granite instead is delicate for the latter which are absorbed by the small interstices of its crystalline structure.
Natural stones alternative to marble
Marble, thanks to its elegance and beauty, has always been considered the finest and most prestigious choice. However, in some realizations such as tops for kitchens or bar counters, this option becomes impractical due to the delicacy of the material and the attention required for its maintenance.
there are alternatives, and the secret lies in getting out of the ‘traditional’ idea of natural stone and letting yourself be fascinated by the immense offer that the market makes available and which can combine the beauty of design with the necessary features, guaranteeing elegant and original results.
the Taj Mahal as a granite at first glance, because it is very similar to marble.
An idea, for example, for those looking for the whiteness and brightness of white marble, can be the use of granite that in our collection is identified as Taj Mahal.
imperceptible grain and its delicate veins in shades of grey, this material has a very uniform and brilliant delivery, very similar to marble. Its being a granite, however, makes it robust and resistant to scratches, trampling and external agents.
even within the same category of natural stone we find materials of the same family but with very different characteristics: marble, for example, is a wonderful alternative to Statuario marble and is technically more resistant and available at lower prices.
The beautiful veins with the grey PURPLE beige tone of the soft Corteccia quartzite give a strong emotion of naturalness.
In recent years, natural quartzites quartzite, that resemble marble in texture but have very similar technical characteristics to granite, have also been very successful, and there are many proposals in this family, some very special, such as the ones that recall with various shades of brown and beige the bark of trees in our collection, Elegant Brown.
The choice is really wide and with good advice you can get superb results, ideal as yield and requirements, without compromise.
whether granite is more expensive than marble, and speaking in absolute terms, the answer is certainly no. As in all sectors, however, the prices vary according to different parameters such as type, slabs thickness, processing and type of application.
For marble and granite as for all natural stones, the correct way to approach the idea is to start from the project and the yield that the natural stone must have inside it. Once considered this and the use of the material, we must then navigate through the infinite proposal of materials available today and in which there is certainly the right answer in terms of design, use and cost. Therefore, the right question to ask rather than.
BHANDARIMARBLEGROUP,
INDIA,
RAJASTHAN,
KISHANGARH
