Interesting Facts that Not Many Know about Indian Marble & Granite

For centuries, marble and granite – the two most popular natural stones have occupied the throne of home design. These stones are elegant, timeless and sophisticated – making them the no.1 choice for home décor. Marble and granite have multiple uses in Indian homes – living rooms, bathrooms, hallways, corridors, kitchen countertops, and more.

Décor Slim Stone is the no.1 marble and granite suppliers from India. With years of experience observing these two popular natural stones up close, we would like to highlight the salient features of marbles and granites of Indian origin and why it’s the best choice for your home.

What is Indian Marble?

Marble has been intertwined with Indian architecture for centuries. When we think of marble, the ethereal beauty of the Taj is what comes to mind. The shiny white stone adorns several heritage buildings even today. Marble quarrying is prominent in the states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. In fact, the top marble slabs suppliers in India are located in one of the states mentioned above.

Key Features of Indian Marbles

• When compared with other internationally popular marble varieties like Italian marble, Indian marble is of medium lustre.
• It's available in several colours including white, green, black, red, grey, deep ochre and pink.
• It's comparatively harder than Italian marble making it highly durable.
• Indian marble slabs are available in varying thickness ranging up to 30 mm.
• The prices of Indian marble vary depending on the type of marble. Generally, it starts from Rs. 80 per square foot.
• No chemicals or toxins are used in the manufacturing process.
• Since Indian marbles are more durable than their international counterparts, they are suited for bathroom and living flooring and also as kitchen countertops.

Popular Types of Indian Marbles

• Makrana marble available in snowy white shades
• Ambaji marble, quarried in Gujarat and known for its magnificent quality
• The famous Indian dark green marble that is exported across the world
• Onyx marble that is renowned for its mesmerising deep hues in alternating bands
• Rajnagar marble, available in distinctive patterns and deep grey shades
• Andhi marble, that is famous for its beautiful pastel green colour
• Silky black marble from Abu
• Jaisalmer marble with its warm and cheery yellow tones
• Bidasar marble with its unique colour palette of muddy brown and deep green
• Lovely pink marble from Jodhpur

Cleaning Tips for Indian Marble

Marble is one of the highest maintenance natural stones. You need to ensure that you follow the right cleaning techniques to keep it looking good for years to come. The natural porosity of marble makes it prone to scratches and stains. Here are a few cleaning tips and tricks to keep your marble flooring and countertop looking good as new:

• Acidic substances can leave a permanent stain on your marble countertops and flooring. So, make sure to wipe up spills quickly.
• Do not use hard water to mop marble floors and avoid harsh cleaning ingredients. Acids and vinegars are a big NO!
• Use organic cleaners that do not have any harsh chemicals.
• Sealing the surface of the marble creates a protective barrier that protects the surface of your marble stones. If water stops beading on your floors, then you know it’s time for resealing.
• Marble requires repolishing once in every few years to restore the lustre and shine.

Now, let’s move on to the next natural stone on our list – the ever-popular granite.

What is Indian Granite?

Granite is one of the most durable natural stones and is one of the most popular natural stones too. It's used in a variety of ways in interior design – as flooring tiles, as kitchen countertops, as backsplashes, bathroom flooring, and feature walls. Whether you’re using granite in your living room, bathroom, or kitchen, you can be assured that it will add beauty to every nook and corner of your home.

India is one of the top exporters of granite and there are numerous granite slabs suppliers in India, who sell their products to dozens of countries across the world.

Key Features of Indian Granite

• Granite is a siliceous stone and is made of feldspare, quartz and mica.
• The minerals make up the colourful specks and veins in granite slabs.
• It's perfect for bathrooms and kitchens as it is durable and water resistant.
• It's naturally anti-bacterial and heat-resistant.
• It's tough and impervious to scratches and stains.

Popular Types of Indian Granite

Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are the premier granite quarrying locations in India. Granite stones are quarried in huge blocks and then sent to factories for further processing and chiselling into tiles and slabs. While black and white granite are the most popular colours, there are several other mesmerising shades of granite. Here are some of the popular granite types:

• White granite – river white, imperial white, p white, Kashmir white, and viscon white
• Black granite – absolute black, black galaxy, black forest, jet black, and nova black
• Brown granite – desert brown, coffee brown, tan brown, ivory brown and Z brown
• Greent granite – apple green, Hassan green, Kuppam green, and French green
• Blue granite – lavender blue, topaz blue, blue dune, imperial blue and Koliwada blue
• Pink granite – chima pink, rosy pink, English teak, ghiblee pink and strawberry pink
• Red granite – smoka red, Jhansi red, multicolour red and Lakha red
• Grey granite – jubilee grey, steel grey, Bala flower and Colombo juparana
• Gold granite – desert gold, ivory gold, bianco gold, imperial gold and Alaska gold
• Yellow granite – crystal yellow, royal cream, colonial cream and ivory fantasy

Cleaning Tips for Indian Granite

Granite is easy to care for and all you need is water, a mild dishwash soap and soft cloth to keep your granite flooring and countertops good as new. With that said, here are some dos and don’ts for cleaning your granite slabs and tiles.

• Do not use naturally acidic cleaners like lemon or vinegars to clean granite tiles and countertops.
• Get on eye level while cleaning granite, as crumbs and minute dust are not usually visible due to the gorgeous patterns and veining of granite stones.
• A mix of dish wash soap and warm water is sufficient to remove all stains and spills.
• Mop granite floors with water and regular household cleaners using a soft cloth.
• Rinse with plain water and wipe dry with a fresh soft rag to eliminate streaks and soapy spots.

The sheer elegance of granite and marble are unmatched. The unique colours, lustruous textures and elegant finishes of these natural stones add a classy style statement to your interiors. Looking for the best quality marble and granite slabs in India at the best prices? Reach out to Décor Slim Stones, the best granite and marble tiles suppliers in India. Our sales team is always happy to help and help you find the best natural stones for your project.