The Difference Between Carrara, Calacatta, And Statuary Marble

A marble countertop makes a statement. This quarried stone, one of the more expensive materials you can use, sends a message of luxury and style. But once you’ve read through the pros and cons in Remodeling 101: Marble Countertops and settled on using marble for your kitchen or bath, you still have some decisions to make: What type to get? And which slab?

When you’re selecting, say, a solid-surface countertop (like Corian) or an engineered stone (such as Silestone or Caesarstone), you can look at a sample and know exactly what you’re going to get. With marble, however, every slab is different. Because it comes from nature, every piece of marble is one of a kind, with its own pattern and colors.

While it’s found in many parts of the world, the marble most readily available in the United States is quarried in the mountains above Carrara, a town in northern Tuscany. The three most common types of Italian marble are Carrara, Calacatta, and Statuary (also called Statuario). We asked expert Michael Bruno, a salesperson with the tile and stone company Ann Sacks, what he’s learned about these three types of marble over 19 years in the business—and the differences between them.

What’s the difference between Carrara, Calacatta, and Statuary marble?

Carrara Marble

The most common Italian marble is Carrara, named for the region it comes from. “Carrara has a gray field, or background,” says Bruno, “with a light gray veining.” This stone can also tend toward blue-gray, and the patterning is usually soft and feathery.

Calacatta Marble

Many homeowners feel that a whiter marble looks more luxurious. They might opt for Calacatta marble, which is also fairly available in the US. (Somewhat confusingly, it’s quarried in Carrara as well.) “Calacatta has a field that’s bright white, and a lot more variation in color than Carrara,” says Bruno. The veins are thick and dramatic, and can range in color from gold to brown to beige to dark gray.

Statuary Marble

And then there’s Statuary marble—whose name serves as a reminder that some of the world’s greatest statues are carved from marble (think Michelangelo’s David). It too comes from the Carrara region. “Statuary also has a bright white field, but not as much color variation as Calacatta,” says Bruno. “The veins are usually dark gray, so there’s a lot of contrast between light and dark in this stone.”