Statuario marble: the complete guide

History and origin

It is quarried at only a few sites in the Apuan Alps above Carrara, where the purest white beds are thin and discontinuous: that is why first-choice blocks are rare. The name recalls its use in sculpture: for centuries masters have come to Carrara for the most uniform, translucent marble, and Michelangelo carved his masterpieces from the marble of these mountains. Marmi di Carrara has been selecting blocks directly at the quarry and processing them in its own workshops since 1956.

Look and veining

A pure white background with a slight translucency that gives depth to polished surfaces. The veins are grey, from pearl to anthracite, well defined and not dense. Every block is different: Statuario Extra (whiter background, sparse and elegant veining) and Statuario Venato, with a bolder pattern. For large surfaces choose slabs from the same block and lay them book-matched.

Technical properties (indicative)

Recommended uses

Ideal for bathroom cladding, book-matched walls, prestigious floors, fireplaces, tables, carved washbasins and bespoke furniture. In kitchens it is stunning but needs care: acids dull the polish on worktops, so a honed finish and a good protective treatment are best. For outdoor use and frost-prone areas choose thicker slabs and ask us about installation.

Care and maintenance

Clean with lukewarm water and pH-neutral detergents, drying with a soft cloth. Avoid acidic, abrasive or chlorine-based products. An oil- and water-repellent sealer applied after installation and renewed every 1–2 years reduces stains from oil, wine and coffee. Blot spills immediately; dullness caused by acids can be restored by professional re-polishing.

Pairings

• With brushed brass and warm woods for a contemporary classic.
• With matt black and steel for a minimal, high-contrast bathroom.
• With Bardiglio or Grigio Carnico in checkerboard floors or borders.

FAQ