The Difference Between Calacatta Marble and Quartz

13, May. 2024

 

The Difference Between Calacatta Marble and Quartz

When it comes to natural stone, there is simply no comparison. For centuries, marble has been prized for its natural beauty and elegance and has been used in some of the most iconic buildings in the world. Today, engineered and man-made alternatives to natural stone are becoming more common, but each lack the same natural beauty of marble that can never be replicated.  

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Marble and quartz are two of the most popular materials for commercial or residential use. However, there are some major differences between the two. 

Calacatta vs. Quartz Composition 

Calacatta marble has become a reference in the market and is one of the most desirable types of marble in the world. Calacatta marble is a metamorphosed Limestone that is composed of 99.5% pure calcium carbonate and 0.5% is a mix of other minerals resulting in its unique veining and natural patterns. Specifically, Calacatta is prized for its bold white color and striking grey and gold veining. This marble has a fine grain and smooth texture allowing for a variety of finishes.  

Quartz is in fact one of the most abundant natural minerals on Earth, however quartz products are not solely made of the natural mineral. When creating countertops and other products, manufacturers combine natural quartz with resins in order to create a beautiful final product. Quartz countertops are generally 80% quartz and 10% resins.  

Durability

While Calacatta is known to be more durable than other types of marble, the general assumption and concern of marble is the porosity. Marble is naturally a more porous stone and requires regular maintenance. However, there is technology that allows us to increase the mechanical strength and decrease porosity of marble and also a variety of recommended sealants made specifically for the stone. With proper care, marble is guaranteed to last a lifetime and ages even more beautifully with time and wear.

The durability of quartz products is high due to the combination of natural quartz and resins. However, because quartz products have been engineered using resins, quartz is prone to heat damage as well as discoloration from the sun, which can cause damage or other aesthetic issues over time.

Aesthetic

Calacatta marble is known for its luxurious appeal, and it has been sought after by designers, architects and homeowners since the beginning of time. The deep white background and intricate veining is not found as prominent in any other stone or type of marble and is exactly what engineered stone is trying to mimic. 

Quartz products have a very distinct design to them. Unlike natural stone, the veining tends to lack authenticity because there are no unique qualities or characteristics.

The marble aesthetic is one that has been duplicated by more products than ever before. However, these imitations lack the natural impurities and subtle veining patterns of Calacatta. As long as you perform regular maintenance and care - there really isn't another alternative!

Calacatta! The Latest Trend in Quartz Countertops

The Calacatta Craze

The latest trend in Quartz Countertop design has been a huge influx of Calacatta Quartz options. There are many questions surrounding Calacatta style quartz-like what does Calacatta mean? Is it Calacatta, Calcatta, Calcuta, or something else? What is the difference between different Calacatta styles? Which one is the best?

We will try to answer some of those questions for you. First off, we prefer to spell and pronounce it as Calacatta and the most important thing to note is that this Quartz style is named after its natural stone counterpart, the Calacatta Marble.

With competitive price and timely delivery, Holy sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

Calacatta Marble is rarer than Carrara marble and features thick bold greyish veins. Since it is rare, it is also more expensive. Some Calacatta slabs can cost thousands of dollars more than their Carrara cousins. Calacatta Quartz is designed to mimic the most expensive styles of Calacatta Marble.

The Calacatta Nuvo by Caesarstone (pictured above) is one of many styles of Calacatta Quartz. Some have an off-white or creamy white base while others have a more pronounced gold lining in the veining.

We carry dozens of Calacatta Quartz options. Some of our favorites are:

MSI Calacatta Verona 

 

K-Stone V8001

 

Is it expensive?

Calacatta Quartz is more expensive than most other patterns available. The primary reason for the high cost is the molds and additional time it requires to create the veining. With a solid pattern or a pattern that is not quite as uniform, it is much easier to manufacture. There are cheaper brands and options that are more commonly becoming available but with any white quartz, we suggest sticking to a reputable brand and not taking the risk of ending up with a countertop filled with resin and prone to staining. The higher ticket Calacatta options also have a brighter white and better polish which really brings out the veining in the stone.

Should I choose Calacatta Quartz for my kitchen?

There are many variables to identify before choosing which style of quartz to go with. Some of the advantages of choosing a Calacatta style are:

Versatility – White and grey works with so many different cabinet, paint, and decor themes so its really hard to go wrong.
Backsplash – Calacatta quartz is by far the best looking material to match and flow into your kitchen backsplash. It is important to identify if bookmatched slabs are required and available to achieve the best results.
Waterfalls – Just like flowing the veining in the countertops into the backsplash is an awesome look, flowing the countertop down a waterfall is a growing trend.
Timelessness – It seems that this Calacatta craze is still in its early days and is here to stay for the foreseeable future. It is highly unlikely that we will see it go out of style anytime soon.
Investment – The above-mentioned “pros” of choosing Calacatta Quartz make this choice a great investment and is definitely worthwhile to pay the difference between the cost of this option vs other lower cost patterns and styles.

One of the only times we advise against making the jump in cost to Calacatta is when we are working with a very narrow surface or small countertop. The veining is going to stop very shortly after it started and you won’t get the full value as a project with waterfalls, backsplash, or large island would achieve.

Overall, the Calacatta style is a great choice in most cases and with Calacatta Quartz you can achieve the rare marble look without breaking the bank. Being Quartz instead of marble it is also much easier to maintain, non-porous, and doesn’t need to be sealed like natural stone.

Call us today to book a free in-home consultation and see if Calacatta Quartz is a good choice for your home.

The company is the world’s best calacatta quartz slabs supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.