Natural marble
Carrara, Calacatta, Statuario. Etches and patinas with use — beautiful if you accept the wear.
$100 – $250 / sq ft installed
Indicative NYC pricing — final scope confirmed at estimate.
About natural marble
Marble is the classic kitchen and bath stone: cool to the touch, unmatched for pastry, and unrepeatable in its veining. It is also porous and reactive, which means acids dull the polish in a process called etching.
Homeowners who love marble treat that patina as character. Homeowners who don't should choose quartz or quartzite instead.
Specifier's tips
- A honed finish hides etching far better than polished
- Seal on install and re-seal annually in a working kitchen
- Always view the actual slab — samples never show the real vein movement
Frequently asked
Is marble a mistake in a family kitchen?
Not automatically, but expect visible wear within the first year. Many families use marble on the perimeter and quartz on the island.
Can etching be removed?
Light etching on honed marble can be buffed out. Polished marble usually needs a professional refinish.