Marble does have a couple of downsides when used as a kitchen countertop. The first is that it is a calcium carbonate based material and, thus, it is subject to attack by salt and acid. If you slice a lemon and leave it on the countertop, it may etch the material. Using a honed finish on a marble countertop is a suggestion for limiting the appearance of etching. Damage from acid or salt is not as readily discernible between the etched surface and the honed surface. Marble also tends to stain easier than granite due to the fact that marble generally has a higher rate of water absorption. There are many good sealers on the market, though, and they can reduce the likelihood of staining when applied properly.

Marble backsplashes and floors make good complement to granite countertops in the kitchen. The wonderful soft appearance and ease of maintenance makes marble a great choice for bathroom walls, floors, vanity tops, tub decks, and showers.

Marble adds a sophisticated element wherever it is used. Marble is found in the mountainous regions of Canada, Italy, Germany, Spain, the U.S. and other countries worldwide, like Egypt and Turkey. In the US, it is quarried in Vermont, New York, Georgia and Colorado. Marble is a metamorphic rock made of limestone. When it is subjected to tremendous pressure over a long period of time, the limestone gets pressed into marble. A lot of marble is white, but it can come in many different colors, depending upon where it is quarried.

Throughout history some of the world’s most important works of art and architecture, including churches and palaces, have been crafted of marble. In fact, Michelangelo frequently came to the Carrara region of Italy to find marble for his masterpieces.