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Quartz surfacing has been steadily gaining market share over the past few years as architects, designers, and homeowners learn how much this material has to offer. Unlike 100-percent natural surfacing such as marble or granite, quartz is chemical, stain, chip, and crack resistant. It’s non-porous and never needs sealing, plus manufacturing processes have come a long way.

Although Italy or Spain might come to mind for most people when asked where the best marble is quarried, some of the finest marble comes from right here in the U.S.A. One quarry in particular, the Yule Creek Quarry located in the West Elk Mountains of Colorado, yields a clean white marble with a homogeneous texture, popularly known as Calacatta Lincoln, that’s made this particular quarry an interesting part of American history. 

Like an aerial photograph of the icy arctic, Wicked White quartzite features swirling shades of grey and white. The light and dark shades play off of each other, creating a dramatic landscape. A great alternative to marble, Wicked White adds elegance and beauty to any project. Whether used as the “main attraction” or as a backdrop (such as it is in the kitchen below from Downsview Kitchens of Boston) it’s an eye-catching option that’s practical too.

Few things rival the beauty of marble. This majestic material has been used as a building material since ancient times. A favorite medium of the Greeks and Romans, marble has been a cultural symbol of refined tastes ever since. Today, marble is still a favorite material when creating a look of luxury.

When white is what you want, there’s more to choose from than just marble. Made of 93-percent natural quartz, ColorQuartz is a great option. Engineered to be exceptionally durable, scratch, heat, and stain resistant, ColorQuartz is a sensible, functional and beautiful alternative.

Ahhhh, Calacatta. Like the Ferrari of marbles, it symbolizes the epitome of luxury. It evokes strong emotions and is synonymous with elegance and quality. And for many, owning it is a dream come true. The proud owners of this beautiful kitchen by HB, LLC selected Calacatta Vagli for their vast center island, bringing their kitchen right into the fast lane of luxury!

 Q: My kitchen designer suggested a marble for my countertop that’s quarried in the USA. Should I even consider this? The best marble is from Italy, right?

Here at Marble and Granite, Inc., you’ve heard us singing the praises of ultra compact Neolith surfacing for some time now. The folks at Architectural Products magazine are also on board, praising the material for its “great composition and capabilities.” In fact, the publication recognized Neolith with their 2014 Product Innovation Award!

While “Carrara” usually refers to a specific variety of white marble quarried in Italy, the term is often extended to similar white marbles that are found relatively nearby. Turkish Carrara offers a similar look to the Italian variety, with the same visual purity that’s just as striking.