Excellent Marble Vs. Lesser Marble: How to Spot the Differences

There’s something most people might not know about marble, and it’s that not every slab is created equal. While all of them have their own unique beauty, some are of higher quality than others. And if you’re interested in investing in a countertop that will last (which you probably are), it’s wise to know how to tell the great marble slabs apart from the not so great.

Marble Grades

The common grades of marble include A, B, C, and D.

Grade A

Grade A marble is the best of the best. In these slabs, you’ll find few flaws (if any at all) and subtle colorations that put across a luxurious and sophisticated vibe. It’s not often that you’ll find bold veining patterns on these slabs, and the most common color is pure white. People love the way they look because their appearance is less dramatic, which makes a space feel calm.

Grade B

Grade B marble also has very few flaws, but more than Grade A—usually in the form of pitting. In Grade B marble, you might also find dry veining, which means that there has been a separation between the natural material. In a case like this, a fabricator like us might fill in the subtle imperfections to make the slab more stable and better for use as a countertop.

Grade C

Grade C is the first grade of marble where there will most likely be noticeable flaws. These flaws come in the form of separations and voids. Grade C marble gets repaired during fabrication, but a keen eye might be able to spot those repaired sections as standing out from their natural counterparts, as they tend to have a non-polished look.

Grade D

Grade D is the type of marble that is the most flawed. To fix these flaws, fabricators will often use cement, epoxy, and dowels, which means that the stone may look a bit different or not as robust in the spaces it’s been fixed up. Grade D marble may have the most flaws out of all the types of marble, but it also has the most interesting aesthetics, which makes the investment worth it for some homeowners.

Picking the Best Marble for You

Of all four grades of marble, Grade A is definitely the most perfect. So, if you’re looking for flawlessness, that should be your number one choice. But in terms of visual interest, it’s not always the best option. But don’t worry! There are other ways that you can examine your marble slab to determine its quality other than by simply knowing the grade.

To make things quick and simple, we put together a checklist of characteristics to examine in a marble slab to determine its quality.

Check out the coloration.

• You’ll often find Grade A marble in shades of white.
• In other slabs, you’ll find yellow, pink, gray, green, or blue.
• If you notice unnatural colors, it’s likely that the slabs have been supplemented with other materials.

Take a look at the veining.

• Veins show up in a marble slab with the presence of mineral impurities.
• Natural marble most often has veins in long streaks.
• A manufactured stone can be found with a swirled appearance or a surface without as much dimension or depth as a natural stone has.

Examine the gloss.

• There’s an undeniable sheen to a natural marble slab. While it’s common practice for crushed glass to be used in a slab made of synthetic material, it doesn’t come close to the look of natural marble.

Keep an eye out for cracks and chips.

• There shouldn’t be too many imperfections in your marble slab. If there are noticeable chips and cracks, the material quality probably isn’t very high.
• A small bit of chipping and cracking is normal in natural marble, but no more than 5 percent of the surface should be affected.

Knowing Marble—Inside and Out

Some people lean toward the perfection of Grade A marble, while others prefer the visual interest of Grade C and D. At Bellezza Artisan Stone Surfaces, we can provide the support you need to choose what type of slab is best for you. Reach out to us today!