Current Obsessions: Quartz Vs. Marble Countertops – Can You Tell The Difference?

Natural marble countertops have always been a classic, and for many homeowners, represents the pinnacle of luxury and style. However, marble look quartz is a dream come true for many homeowners who love the look and feel of marble but don’t like its vulnerability to stains and chips. Not only can quartz take on the look and movement of natural marble, but it also brings the functionality of a material engineered for durability and ease of maintenance.

Manufactured quartz fuses minerals, largely natural quartz, with a resin. Advancements in the quartz manufacturing process enable marble-look quartz to include the subtle veins and specks found in the natural stone, yet the slab remains durable and imperious to scratches without polishing or sealing. Even up close, it’s hard to distinguish manufactured from mined stone.

Still, you may feel that marble is tugging on your heartstrings, and there’s no denying that natural stone’s unique luxury is hard to beat. But before you decide, take a look at this natural marble and marble-look quartz designs, side by side. 

Marbella White 

Marbella White Quartz is an elegant stone where subtle tonal veining rests on a soft, white background. Marabella White Quartz is durable and easy to maintain. It complements lighter cabinetry and contrasts dramatically with dark cabinetry.

Unlike marble, Marbella White Quartz doesn’t need to be sealed or polished and will keep its elegant look throughout its long life, with little fuss.

Calico White 

Calico White Quartz is a dreamy, creamy product that is ideal for countertops and backsplashes, as well as indoor and outdoor flooring.

For example, Calico White is a perfect choice for bathrooms. Unlike porous marble, which can soak up makeup and lotion spills, Calico White and other marble-look quartz products laugh at these substances, maintaining their luster even after being wiped with cleaning solutions that can damage marble.

Statuary Classique

Featured: Statuary Classique Quartz

Is it marble? Is it manufactured? It’s hard to decide with Statuary Classique Quartz, a stunning quartz that features clean whites and striking veins. Statuary Classique looks luxurious, yet it offers the durable, minimal maintenance of quartz.

Its smooth, non-porous surface has no crevices for bacteria to hide and grow, making it a particularly great surface for sanitary food prep for your family. Quartz also resists scratches and chips, making it a kitchen workhorse.

Calacatta Gold

Featured: Calacatta Gold Marble

If you’re still swooning over natural marble, we can’t argue with you. It truly is the original classic. Calacatta Gold Marble, with its white background and gold veins, is lovely in kitchens and bathrooms alike.

Remember that unlike marble-look quartz, this natural stone is porous and can absorb wine and other acid-based foods, and create stains that only a poultice can remove. Also, marble can be vulnerable to scratching, especially when a knife slips when slicing food, so be sure to take precautions for food prep. 

Arabescato Carrara

Featured: Arabescato Carrara Marble

Another breath-taking natural stone, Arabescato Carrara Marble combines whites and grays that make for elegant floors, backsplashes, and counters. Like all marbles, Arabescato Carrara requires regular sealing and polishing if it is to remain stain resistant and lustrous. 

Calacatta Classique

Featured: Calacatta Classique Quartz

Finally, let’s check out one more manufactured countertop, to help you decide your preference. Calacatta Classique Quartz is a showstopper that contains bright whites and through-body veins. It works well in both white kitchens and with dark cabinetry. This quartz is a tough customer that’s durable, chip and stain resistant. It requires only a little daily dusting and wiping to keep its beauty and shine for years to come.

There’s no question that for some homeowners, natural marble is the way to go, and worth the additional TLC. For others, the appeal of low maintenance, durable engineered quartz suits their needs. Either way, you can find many beautiful options at MSI. Let us help you create your perfect design.