Marbles, granites and quartzites - Discover the diversity of natural stones and their applications
The enormous diversity of marble found in Brazil reflects the geological richness and the country's vocation to produce natural beauty. It also reflects the ability of cutting and finishing companies and professionals to transform these stones into masterpieces of construction and design.
Each one with its unique characteristics and distinct visual appeal, national marbles enchant customers from all over the world and are part of iconic projects around the globe.
Among the main marbles of Brazilian origin, we can highlight those with a white background with grayish veins, similar to the Italian Carrara, commonly called Calacatta, but which may vary in nomenclature depending on the place of origin and the company that holds the extraction authorization.
The country still has marbles with a light background marked by golden and/or black veins, green or gray grains, as well as other variations with a grayer background, pink, beige, black and even red.
The largest marble deposits in the country are in the states of Minas Gerais, Paraná and Espírito Santo. In the latter, including, is where the city of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim is located, known as the "world capital of marbles" due to the enormous amount of quarries and processing companies installed in the region.
Calcitic and dolomitic marbles
The two main types of marble sold are calcitic and dolomitic. Both are metamorphic stones, but have distinct differences in terms of mineral composition, physical characteristics and properties.
Calcitic marble is mainly composed of calcite, which is a calcium carbonate mineral. Calcite gives marble its colors and textures.
Dolomitic marble, on the other hand, is mainly composed of dolomite, which is a calcium and magnesium carbonate mineral.
Calcitic marble tends to be softer and more susceptible to scratching than dolomitic marble. In addition, calcitic marble is more susceptible to chemical reactions with acids, which can cause wear and tear on the stone if it is not properly waterproofed and/or applied in the right place.