If you’re exploring various types of marble for your upcoming project, you’ve likely encountered several different types of Calacatta Marble. It’s logical to assume that because the names sound alike, all types of Calacatta are the same. But this isn’t the case. Here’s why…

Genuine Calacatta marble from Italy is a beautiful stone. It’s been around since Roman times and has been used in constructing some of the world’s most memorable monuments, cathedrals, and castles. In fact, Calacatta was Michelangelo’s favorite stone to use for his carvings. Real Calacatta marble comes from quarries found in the Apuan Mountains in Carrara, Italy. It comes from a vast mountain range, with each quarry producing a variety of white marbles such as Bianco Carrara, Goiai Venatino, Statuario, and of course Calacatta. Calacatta marble has dramatic veins with a crisp white background. The whiter the material, the more expensive the slabs. It often has undertones of brown and gold. Calacatta is rarer than Carrara, another beautiful white marble option from Italy. 

Because original Calacatta is so beautiful and revered, everyone wants to take advantage of the name. This means that you’ll encounter many, many different varieties of surfacing (natural and manufactured) that include “Calacatta” in the name. All have their own benefits. Just be sure that you’re aware of what it is your buying when you make your purchase. 

When you’re shopping for Calacatta, it’s important to know that: 

• Not all “Calacatta” products are priced the same. 

• The rarer the marble, the more expensive it will be. 

• Inspect your slabs carefully. Look for any that might have been repaired, as this is common. 

• Don’t focus on the name. It’s more important to focus on how the stone will perform. 


When you visit Marble & Granite, Inc. you’ll find several surfacing options of “Calacatta.” 

The most common types of Calacatta marble you’ll encounter include: 

Calacatta Belgia is more readily available. Some just call it “Calacatta” or “Calacatta Carrara.” From Italy, it has a white background with heavy and wide grey veining. 
     Calacatta Vagli from Italy features a white background with a merlot, gold, grey vein. Its’ a very popular and classic look. 
 
Rarer and more difficult to find types of Calacatta are: 
Other options include: 

Calacatta Bluette from Italy offers more movement. It’s blue/grey in color with some white and golden brown. It looks a lot like driftwood. 

Calacatta Retro from Italy is a newer variety, available just over the past couple of years. It has more of a swirly pattern that is white and grey. 

Calacatta Sponda quarried in Italy, features a swirly pattern with a warm white background and golds and grey throughout. 

Calacatta Saturnia from Brazil is very similar in look to Italian Calacatta Sponda. 

Calacatta Michelangelo, from Italy offers a white background with minimal grey veining. This was, as the name implies, Michelangelo’s preferred material for his work. 

Calacatta Zebrino, from Italy features a very vertical pattern that is white and dark grey. 

For a manmade option with the look of Calacatta Marble, try…
 
Calacatta Neolith this ultra-thin material looks like real marble but offers the benefits of Neolith surfacing. See our previous blogs on Neolith.

Calacatta Novus ColorQuartz has a similar look to Calacatta marble, but offers benefits of ColorQuartz See our previous blogs on ColorQuartz.

We’d love to show you why each of these Calacatta-named materials would be a great fit for your project. Give us a call at Marble & Granite, Inc. for an appointment at 877-39 STONE or schedule a consultation.