Types of Marble: Colors, Names and Finishes Guide
Quick answerThe main types of marble are white (Thassos, Carrara, Calacatta, Statuario), beige and cream (Crema Marfil), brown (Emperador), black (Nero Marquina), gray and green. Finishes such as polished, honed and tumbled change the look of each.
Types of marble can be sorted by color, vein and finish, and that makes choosing much easier. This guide walks through the main types of marble we carry, from bright white to deep black, plus the finishes that change how each one looks. Want to browse right away? Start with our marble tile collection.
Types of Marble by Color
The quickest way to sort different types of marble is by base color. Each stone has its own name, and each name tells you what to expect. For a bigger picture of every stone family, see stone types and the Stone Encyclopedia.
- White: white marble tile, from pure white to softly veined.
- Beige and cream: beige and cream marble tile, warm and easy to live with.
- Gray: gray marble tile, cool and modern.
- Black: black marble tile, bold and dramatic.
- Green: green marble tile, rich and unusual.
- Brown and gold: Emperador Dark and Emperador Light.
Types of White Marble
White is where most people start, and the differences between white marbles are bigger than they look. Thassos White is the brightest and cleanest. Bianco Carrara is white to light gray with soft, feathery veins. Calacatta Gold has bolder veining with warm gold. Statuary White sits between them with crisp gray veins. Oriental White is a clean, even white that works across a whole room.
Not sure which one fits? Our guides cover each in detail: Thassos, Carrara, Calacatta and Statuario. For the full white range, read white marble tile.
Types of Italian Marble
Carrara, Calacatta and Statuario are the best known Italian marbles. They come from the Carrara area of Tuscany and are loved for their soft, classic look. Carrara is the most subtle, Calacatta is the boldest and Statuario falls in between. See the side-by-side in Calacatta vs Carrara marble or the shorter Calacatta vs Carrara guide. For more, browse Calacatta Oliva and Calacatta Viola.
Types of Beige, Cream and Brown Marble
Warm marbles make a room feel inviting. Crema Marfil is a soft cream with subtle movement. Cappuccino leans deeper and coffee toned. White Pearl Botticino is light beige with a gentle pattern, and Diano Royal adds a touch more contrast. Read more in Crema Marfil marble and Emperador marble.
Types of Black, Gray and Green Marble
For drama, try Nero Marquina, a deep black with fine white veins (read the guide). Cooler options include Bardiglio Imperiale, Atlantic Gray and Tundra Gray. Green fans can choose Empress Green or Ming Green. For red tones, see Rosso Levanto.
Types of Marble Finishes
Finish changes the look of the same stone. Polished marble tile is glossy and reflects light. Honed marble tile is smooth and matte, a favorite for floors and showers. Tumbled marble tile has softened edges and a worn, old-world feel. Some stones also come split-faced for a textured wall look. Learn more in stone tile finishes and honed vs polished stone.
Types of Marble Tiles by Shape and Use
Marble tile comes as large field tile, small mosaics, trims and more. Marble mosaic tile suits backsplashes and shower floors. Marble floor tile covers entries and kitchens. For walls, try a marble subway tile. Finish the edges with marble trim, moldings and baseboards.
Marble Types for Kitchens, Bathrooms and Floors
Where the tile goes helps narrow the list. For a kitchen backsplash, light stones like Carrara and Statuary keep things bright, while Emperador adds warmth. See marble backsplash tile and the backsplash tile collection. For bathrooms, honed whites and grays feel calm and spa-like; read marble bathroom tile and browse marble bathroom floor tile. Entries and living areas suit a steady mid tone, covered in marble floor tile.
Pairing two types of marble is also a classic move. A white field tile with a black border, or a black and white marble layout, gives you contrast without leaving one stone family. For bold floors, see our checkerboard stone tile guide.
Natural Variation Within Each Type
Two tiles of the same marble type can look different. Veins shift, tones drift and some pieces carry more color. That is part of the charm, and it is why we suggest ordering a sample first and ordering all your tile for one room together. Learn more about matching tiles in our same-lot guide. If you need help choosing, try find a matching natural stone tile.
How to Choose Between Types of Marble
Marble is softer than granite, so think about where it will live. Honed finishes hide wear better on floors, and all marble needs sealing. Our guide on marble hardness and grades explains what that means in practice. Care basics are in natural stone care and how to seal marble tile. Comparing marble with other stones? Read travertine vs marble.
Quick Guide: Which Type of Marble Fits Your Style?
Modern and clean: pick a honed white such as Statuary White or a cool gray like Bardiglio Imperiale. Classic and timeless: Carrara or Calacatta in polished or honed. Warm and cozy: Crema Marfil or Emperador. Moody and dramatic: Nero Marquina or Empress Green. Old-world and rustic: tumbled marble in any tone. Not sure yet? Our marble tile colors guide and natural stone color codes help you match a tone, and the tile inspiration gallery shows rooms finished in these stones.
Remember that every marble is a natural product. Color and veining will vary, and that is exactly what makes a marble floor or wall one of a kind. Order samples, compare them next to your cabinets, paint and lighting, and choose the one that feels right every time you look at it.
Because every piece of natural stone varies, always see your tile in person. Any 5 samples are $25 and ship free; order sample tiles or pick up in Anaheim. Planning a full room? Use the tile calculator and project planning guide, or contact us. Back to the hub: what is marble.
Common questions
What are the types of marble?
Marble is usually sorted by color: white, beige and cream, gray, black, green and brown. Within each color, individual stones such as Carrara, Calacatta, Crema Marfil and Nero Marquina have their own vein and tone.
What are the different types of white marble?
The common white marbles are Thassos, Carrara, Calacatta, Statuario and Oriental White. Thassos is the cleanest white, Carrara is softly veined, Calacatta has bold gold and gray veins, and Statuario has crisp gray veining.
What are the types of Italian marbles?
Carrara, Calacatta and Statuario are the best known Italian marbles. Carrara is the most subtle, Calacatta the boldest, and Statuario sits between them.
What are the types of marble finishes?
The most common marble finishes are polished (glossy), honed (smooth and matte) and tumbled (soft edges, aged look). Split-faced gives a rough, textured surface for walls.
What are the types of marble tiles?
Marble tile comes as field tile, mosaics in shapes like hexagon and herringbone, subway tile, checkerboard sets and trims. Each type suits different spots, such as floors, backsplashes and showers.
What are the names of marble stones?
Common marble names include Thassos, Carrara, Calacatta, Statuario, Crema Marfil, Emperador, Nero Marquina, Bardiglio and Empress Green. Each name points to a specific color and vein pattern.
What is the most popular type of marble?
White marbles such as Carrara and Calacatta are the most requested for their bright, classic look. Warm Crema Marfil and bold Nero Marquina are also popular picks.
Which type of marble is best for floors?
Honed marble in a mid tone is a smart floor choice because it hides scratches and etching better than polished. Seal it and clean with a stone-safe cleaner.
Which type of marble is best for a bathroom?
Honed white or gray marble works well in bathrooms. In wet areas, marble needs sealing and a proper waterproofing system, so follow your installer's guidance.
Is there a difference between marble types in durability?
All marble is a softer stone than granite and can etch or scratch. Some types are denser than others, and a honed finish and regular sealing help any marble last.
How can I tell marble types apart?
Look at the base color and the veins. Thin gray feathery veins suggest Carrara, thick gold-gray veins suggest Calacatta, and fine white lines on black suggest Nero Marquina. Samples make the difference clear.