Marble — price, types and what to check
Makrana to Italian — cool, classic, and softer than it looks.
Marble is a metamorphic limestone: elegant and cool underfoot, but softer and more porous than granite. It rewards careful laying and punishes careless polishing.
The basics
- Indian marbles: Makrana white, Rajnagar, Ambaji, Katni, Udaipur green.
- Italian marbles — Statuario, Carrara, Botticino — are premium and need expert laying.
- Flooring slabs are usually 16–18 mm thick.
Marble types and price ranges in India
| Type | Specification | Best used for | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makrana white | Albeta, Kumari, Dungri | Premium flooring, temples | ₹120–600 |
| Rajnagar / Morwad | Budget white | Economical flooring | ₹45–120 |
| Katni marble | Beige and brown | Flooring | ₹40–90 |
| Udaipur green | Green | Accents and inlays | ₹60–150 |
| Italian marble | Statuario, Carrara, Botticino | Luxury living areas | ₹300–2,500 |
| Onyx | Translucent | Backlit feature walls | ₹800–3,000 |
Quality checks before you accept delivery
- Inspect slabs in daylight for cracks, patches and resin-filled holes.
- Buy all slabs from one block for colour match.
- A drop of lemon juice etches real marble — it confirms you're not buying a look-alike.
- Hold slabs against light to spot fills and cracks.
- Resin-mesh backing on imported slabs means the slab is fragile — handle with care.
- Check finish and thickness are uniform across all slabs.
Pro tips
- Lay on a mortar bed, then grind and polish on site after 15–20 days.
- Seal Italian marble with an impregnator; oil and turmeric stain it.
- Avoid marble on kitchen counters — acidic spills etch it.
- Dry-lay slabs first to match veins across the room.
- Check slab thickness at both ends — some are tapered.
- Use white-cement-based adhesive under white marble to avoid staining.
- Lay marble late in the job and protect it with sheets.
- Use felt pads under furniture.
Mistakes to avoid
- Acidic cleaners like vinegar or toilet cleaner on marble.
- Laying without dry-matching the veins.
- Polishing before the bed has set.
- Marble in parking areas.
- Steel wool or abrasive powders for cleaning.
Where you can save
- Indian marble in bedrooms, imported only in the living room.
- Buy offcuts for sills and thresholds.
How much you need
Floor area plus 10–15% wastage, more if matching veins.
Brands to know
Makrana and Kishangarh stone markets, RK Marble