Travertine vs Marble

Travertine and marble are both usually calcium carbonate, but they form differently. Travertine is a type of limestone that forms quickly from mineral-rich water, which leaves it naturally porous. Marble is limestone or dolomite recrystallized by heat and pressure, with veining from impurities in the original rock. SoCal Tiles sells both.

Travertine Marble Source
Formation Rapid precipitation of calcium carbonate from water, often at hot springs or in caves Limestone or dolomite recrystallized by heat and pressure Travertine, Wikipedia; Marble, Wikipedia
Geological classification A type of limestone, not marble Metamorphic rock; in stonemasonry the name also covers some unmetamorphosed limestone Travertine, Wikipedia; Marble, Wikipedia
Texture Naturally porous, with visible holes unless filled An interlocking mosaic of carbonate crystals Travertine, Wikipedia; Marble, Wikipedia
Look Earthy, often banded or pitted; ivory, gold, brown and silver tones Veined or swirled from impurities; pure white to black, plus greens and browns Marble, Wikipedia; SoCal Tiles product catalog
Finishes at SoCal Tiles Tumbled, Honed, Filled & Honed, Unfilled, Split-Faced Mostly Polished; some Tumbled and Split-Faced SoCal Tiles product catalog
Acid sensitivity Calcareous: acids can etch Usually calcareous: acids can etch Natural Stone Institute, Care & Cleaning of Natural Stone
At SoCal Tiles Many color lines, from Ivory to Noce and Silver Pewter Many lines, from Bianco Carrara to Nero Marquina SoCal Tiles product catalog

Choose Travertine when…

You want an earthy, textured look. Choose unfilled for open pores, or filled for a smoother face. See Filled vs Unfilled Travertine.

Choose Marble when…

You want classic veining and a wider color range, from white to black. See the Marble family page.

Learn more: Travertine · Marble

SoCal Tiles carries

Tiles and mosaics can be ordered as a sample from the product page.

Sources

  1. Travertine, Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-09-24)
  2. Marble, Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-09-24)
  3. Natural Stone Institute, Care & Cleaning of Natural Stone (retrieved 2026-09-23)
  4. SoCal Tiles product catalog (retrieved 2026-09-21)