While there is no industry standard for quality when it comes to marble tile, there are some ways you can gauge the quality of the materials you are buying. Learning what makes a marble stronger, what makes it weaker and when these factors matter can help you choose the right quality material for your tile design.

I. Ask for the name and grade of the marble

Oftentimes the simplest way of determining the quality of marble. An honest vendor will tell you the names and grades of the marble they are selling and why they are selling it at the predetermined price. Some vendors would even go as far as highlighting the strengths, and most importantly the weaknesses of the marbles they are selling. That being said, it is also a good idea to do your own research beforehand (whether online or offline) about the marble you want to buy and the market price it is going on at.

II. Look out for cracks and fissure

The presence or absence of cracks and fissures is one of the most common element in determining a marble’s quality. Cracks will oftentimes make the slab of marble more fragile and prone to breaking. Examine the marble for veins on its surface and then flip the tile over to see if there is a crack, or fissure in the same place on the back of the stone.

III. Check out the slab’s thickness

A good quality marble slab should be straight and uniform in thickness. Non-uniform thickness results in uneven floor and table surfaces, and may cause accidents at home. Non-uniform thickness also poses risk when the marble is cut or transported, as there may be areas which are more prone to breaking due to uneven thickness.

IV. Check for dull patches on polished marbles

Polished marbles should have a uniform gleam. Examine the surface of the polished marble under a light, holding it at a 45-degree angle. If there are small, dull patches on an otherwise polished surface, the marble may have “fill” in small holes or fissures in its surface.

And there you have it! Here at Itamar, we are dedicated to always provide our customers with only the best quality marbles. Check out our stocks today!