The short answer
Some of the most useful imported marbles are not Italian. Thassos from Greece is a near-pure white; Marmara from Turkey has straight grey stripes; Crema Marfil from Spain is an even cream; Nero Marquina from Spain is black with sharp white veins. Judge each stone by its look and grade, and insist it is sold under its real origin.
Key takeaways
- Greece, Turkey, Spain, France and Belgium quarry marbles Italy does not have.
- Thassos is a plain white; Crema Marfil an even cream; Nero Marquina a veined black.
- Buy every imported stone under its real origin, and judge it by grade and lot.
Advice for you
Tell us who you are and we will show you what matters most in this guide.
I am building or renovating my home
Do not rule out a stone because it is not Italian. Choose the look you want, then check that the dealer names the true origin.
Book a visit to see full slabsI am an architect or interior designer
Specify origin with the stone name. It keeps quotes comparable and protects you if a substitute is offered on site.
Request samples for a clientI am a contractor or builder
Plain whites such as Thassos show every stain from a dirty bed; keep the bed clean and let it dry before sealing.
Work out quantitiesI live outside Bengaluru
Even stones such as Crema Marfil and Ottoman Beige are among the easiest marbles to choose remotely.
Choose slabs on a video callWhy look beyond Italian marble?
Italy is famous for marble, but it is not the only source of good stone. Greece, Turkey, Spain, France and Belgium quarry marbles that Italy does not have: plainer whites, even creams, deep blacks. The problem in the trade is not these stones; it is when they are sold as Italian. Sold honestly, they widen your choice.
Imported marbles by country
| Stone | Origin | Look | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thassos White | Greece | Pure crystalline white, almost no veining | Floors and walls where white should be plain |
| Golden Spider | Greece | White with a web of golden-orange veins | Feature walls |
| Marmara White | Turkey | White with straight, parallel grey stripes | Modern floors and walls |
| Ottoman Beige | Turkey | Plain, even beige | Whole-house floors |
| Crema Marfil | Spain | Uniform cream, very light veining | Whole-house floors, bathrooms |
| Nero Marquina | Spain | Deep black with sharp white veins | Borders, feature walls, vanities |
| Emperador Dark | Spain | Dark brown with light veins | Borders, feature floors |
| Noir Saint Laurent | France | Brown-black with gold and white veins | Feature walls |
| Belgian Black | Belgium | Near-solid black | Inlays, borders, plinths |
Whites from Greece and Turkey
Thassos White is the choice when you want white with almost nothing else: a bright, crystalline ground with little or no veining. Marmara White from Turkey has straight, parallel grey stripes that can be laid to run along a room, or cross-cut for a cloudier look. Golden Spider from Greece has a web of golden veins for a feature wall.
Creams and beiges from Spain and Turkey
Crema Marfil from Spain is one of the most even creams available, which makes it easy to lay across a whole house. Ottoman Beige from Turkey is plainer still. Both are practical, warm floors.
Blacks and browns from Spain, France and Belgium
Nero Marquina is a deep black with sharp white veins, widely used for borders, inlays and bathroom walls. Emperador Dark gives dark brown borders that frame beige floors. Belgian Black is nearly solid black, for inlays and plinths where you want no pattern.
How to buy imported marble honestly
- Ask for the country of origin for every stone, and the region for well-known ones.
- Expect the dealer to say plainly when origin is not confirmed. We list such stones as 'confirmed on enquiry'.
- Judge grade and lot on the full slab, the same way as Italian marble.
- Compare quotes on the same stone, origin and grade, not on a trade name.
Read how to choose the best quality Italian marble and beige marble for a whole house.
