Everything you need to know about the most famous Greek gray marbles: types of marble, applications, and comparisons with the natural stone, granite
Over the centuries, the brilliance of Greek marble stones has flooded the entire world with their illumination. A multitude of iconic or smaller works of white marble, such as Pendelikon, Thassos, Volakas and Paros, are found in all parts of the planet. The colored marbles of Tinos, Evia and Veria Green, likewise share the similar charm. The same land, Greece, also gives birth to gray marble, a material that equally inspires and carries the identical historical and cultural weight, as well as the same beauty and authenticity.
Gray marble belongs to the monochrome marbles and its shades come in a wide variety. Typically, marble is a light-colored natural rock composed of calcite or a combination of the minerals calcite and dolomite. The gray color in marble stone is due to the presence of mineral impurities such as clay, iron oxides or bituminous materials. In addition to gray, impurities give marble various colors such as green, yellow-blue, pink, or black, among others.
Gray marble, with its broad range of tones and shades, from almost white to dark charcoal, is the embodiment of taste, elegance and sophistication. The subtle variation of the same color adds character to any style-minimal, classic, rustic or modern- seamlessly combining any style and color of desired decoration. This versatility makes gray marble a favorite among many architects, decorators and interior and exterior designers. The light and dark shades of gray marble create light and shadows, and recesses and reliefs where none exist. Gray marble is sophisticated by nature. With patterns that are sometimes calm and peaceful and other times more intense and livelier, gray marble always remains elegant and manages to strike a firm balance between luxury and simplicity.
Applications of Gray Marble
Gray marble stone, when placed indoors or outdoors, manages, in a unique way, to highlight the aesthetics of the space. It can be the timeless choice for the floor, the impressive point of interest of an entire wall, the color harmony and aesthetics for the kitchen counter or island, or just a charming simplicity in the bathroom. If we want to add emphasis to the dimensions of the space, along with a tone of drama, we can cover the fireplace in gray marble slabs.
In Greece, there are many types of gray marble that vary in shade, veins and patterns. Let’s get to know the main ones:
Hemarus Grey marble is a material with many features and a unique identity. It is a homogeneous, hard, calcareous marble, with a white and off-white background, intense gray veins, spots and clouds. Thanks to its hardness it is ideal for any type of construction- an excellent material for interior and exterior use – resistant even to the most difficult conditions.
If something reinforces its uniqueness, it is that it is marble that comes from a privately owned quarry of the Stone Group International company. Specifically, its mining takes place in Northern Greece, in the area of Nestos, in the prefecture of Kavala, on an area of 150,000 sq.m.
A definite positive first impression is won over by the white veins on the dark gray background. It is a fine-grained, hard limestone marble. Thanks to its unique technical characteristics – low porosity and low absorbency – Aliveri marble plays a leading role in a wide range of applications, even in extreme climatic conditions.
Era Silver marble is a source of inspiration and stable investment, as the subtle, light-colored veins and clouds projected on the marble combine with its silver-grey background to present an aesthetically notable effect. Its composition, as a fine-grained marble, allows it to be combined with other marbles, both in indoor and outdoor spaces.
Grey Damastas marble could be described as the epitome of elegance. The scattered white veins on a dark gray background create a complex, and at the same time, striking effect. By its very nature it presents stability and consistency in its background, ensuring homogeneity in the aesthetic result.
Glory marble conveys an unusual sense of a dramatic/theatrical atmosphere in any space where it is placed. Its special characteristics, fine-grained, hard, limestone marble, with a dark gray background and bright white veins, are highly valued by architects and decorators. Its pattern is also ideal for Book-match applications.
While architecture and decoration call for alternative proposals, marble finishes offer a great variation to the material. Many forms of finishes can be applied to the natural material of gray marble: polished, matte or satin, antique or brushed, sandblasted, grained and a leather look.
It is true that the natural stone, granite, is found in a variety of gray shades. This is the reason why we are often asked the perfectly logical question: grey marble or granite? Which of the two natural stones should we use in our project? Is granite or marble best for the kitchen, bathroom, or flooring?
The truth is that the variety of these two natural stones makes the choice difficult. The answer to this dilemma is always given against the background of the aesthetic design demands, as well as the technical specifications of each project. After all, both of them, due to their natural origin, confirm their uniqueness, incredible beauty and durability over time, with the basic provisions of proper maintenance and sealing.
From guidance for the right marble, to choosing the natural material that suits your needs, Stone Group International’s team of marble experts, with in-depth knowledge of the material, are here to support you.
We have 9 quarries and 5 modern factories in Greece, as well as exclusive cooperation agreements with numerous quarries, for the supply of various other types of marble. In our indoor and outdoor warehouses, you can discover a vast variety of marbles. Our stocks of blocks, slabs, tiles and mosaics can meet the needs of any construction project, promptly and consistently.
If you’re looking to learn more about marble products and natural stones, Stonegroup is here to help. As one of the most well-known marble suppliers in Europe, our team can answer any questions you may have about the production process and how to best take advantage of these materials. And if you’re still unsure about whether to contact us, we invite you to explore our blog and read additional articles to gain more insight into our expertise.
Do not hesitate to contact us and speak with the experts.
