Journal

Types of Marble: A Guide to Choosing the Right One

24 June 2026·The Pietra team

Types of marble are grouped by colour and by origin. For furniture, four names hold almost the entire conversation: Calacatta and its variant Calacatta Viola, Carrara, Nero Marquina and Rosso Levanto.

Each one has a ground and a veining of its own. Carrara is discreet. Calacatta is luminous. Nero Marquina is deep. Rosso Levanto is warm. Choosing well comes down to understanding the role you want the stone to play in the room. Below we compare them one by one and explain how to decide.

The main marbles

These are the marbles we work with. The table sums up their colour, their veining and the character they bring to a piece.

Marble	Colour and veining	Character
Carrara	White and grey, fine soft veining	Calm and timeless; steps into the background
Calacatta	Pure white, bold gold and grey veins	Luminous and stately; an obvious centrepiece
Calacatta Viola	Warm white, violet veins	Expressive and rare; a conversation piece
Nero Marquina	Deep black, white veins	Dramatic and assured; anchors the room
Rosso Levanto	Deep red, white veins	Warm and enveloping; a quiet presence

Carrara and Calacatta share a pale ground, but their veining changes the result: Carrara reads soft, Calacatta reads graphic. Calacatta Viola adds an uncommon violet cast that makes it the most singular of the family. Nero Marquina and Rosso Levanto work from dark colour, one in black and one in red, and create pieces that are seen first.

Carrara — the safe choice when you want calm.
Calacatta — when the piece should hold the eye.
Calacatta Viola — when you want something unrepeatable.
Nero Marquina — when you prefer contrast.
Rosso Levanto — when you want warmth with character.

How to choose marble for furniture

There is one underlying question: do you want the piece to be a statement or a neutral companion? The answer settles almost every other decision.

If the piece should be the centre of the room, a marble with bold veining suits it. Calacatta and Calacatta Viola are made for that; Nero Marquina and Rosso Levanto achieve the same effect from dark colour. A console in Calacatta Viola brings both qualities together, presence and rarity, in a single piece.

If instead you would rather the stone blend in and let the rest of the space speak, Carrara is the natural choice. Its fine veining adds texture without competing with textiles, wood or art on the wall. Consider the light as well: pale grounds open up smaller rooms; dark ones ask for space and natural light. If you are torn between two whites, our guide to Calacatta and Carrara goes into the detail. And if you are weighing marble against other pale stones, read travertine versus marble.

Marble vs travertine, briefly

Marble and travertine are often confused, yet they are not the same. Marble is a compact stone with a closed surface and crisp veining; its polished finish reflects the light. Travertine is more porous, with a warm, earthy look and a texture you can feel.

In short: marble brings shine and drawing; travertine brings warmth and a matt calm. The choice depends on the mood you are after. We explain it in full in travertine versus marble.

Made to order in the marble you choose

Every piece is hand-carved to order. You choose the marble — Calacatta Viola, Carrara, Nero Marquina or Rosso Levanto — and we work it to the exact measure of your space. The process takes between 60 and 90 days, with white-glove delivery across Europe and the United States. You can see the options and begin your order on made to order.

Frequently asked questions

What marbles are most used in furniture?

The most used in fine furniture are Calacatta (and its variant Calacatta Viola), Carrara, Nero Marquina and Rosso Levanto. Together they cover the full range, from serene white to deep black and red.

Which marble is the most durable?

All marbles have a similar hardness, since they share a composition. Nero Marquina, thanks to its dark ground, hides everyday marks better. In every case, marble benefits from periodic sealing and coasters under anything that stains.

What is Calacatta Viola?

Calacatta Viola is an uncommon variety of Calacatta, with a warm white ground crossed by violet veins. Its rarity and expressive drawing make it one of the most sought-after stones for one-of-a-kind pieces.

What is the most expensive marble?

It tends to be Calacatta, and Calacatta Viola in particular, for its scarcity and the strength of its veining. Carrara, far more abundant, is the most accessible of the family.

Which marble should I choose for a table?

It depends on the role you want the table to play. For a centrepiece, choose Calacatta, Calacatta Viola or Nero Marquina. For a neutral ground that accompanies the room, Carrara is the safest choice.