Marble

Less romantic perhaps, is the actual history of this marble, a noble material that has always represented the epitome of prosperity, success and power.

Formed by calcareous deposits of shell and bone from oceans that swelled long ago, tectonic shifts began, resulting in pressure and heat at depths of 30 kilometers where the sediment became a crystalline rock. Subsequently, further tectonic shifts carried the material back to the surface, where it finally formed a mountain of marble.

It’s the legendary 200 million year old Apuan Alps in the north-west of Tuscany that sits as perhaps the most famous and historical mine in the world.

The extraction of marble is one that requires a tedious and skillful process. It starts by diamond-studded blades cutting enormous blocks of rock directly from the mountain in just a few hours. This is then followed by a much more complicated process of dismantling and transporting the blocks with utmost caution by all involved. The refinement of marble, especially in sculpture, demands precise knowledge of the material and its particular structure. An ill-timed blow and the stone is broken with no opportunity for repair.

Marble is always in demand for the interiors of houses, kitchens and bathrooms with styles these days leaning more towards its use as an accent rather than floor-to-ceiling excess. It’s urban myth couldn’t be further away from the actual matter and composition of the stone. Marble is extremely durable, and easy to care for at the same time. For practical use, marble champions with its cooling effect on a room in hot temperatures. Its dense and smooth structure is almost resistant to dust and water. Its many arrays of colour and pattern create a graceful yet commanding energy and gifts any space a soul.