Carrara, Calacatta and Statuario Marble: How to Tell Them Apart
Carrara, Calacatta and Statuario are the best-known white marbles from the Apuan Alps around Carrara in Tuscany, Italy. They are often confused, and sellers sometimes use the names loosely.
Carrara: soft grey veining
Carrara is the most common of the three. It typically has a white to bluish-grey background with soft, feathery grey veins. It has been used for centuries for sculpture and building, and Michelangelo's David was carved from Carrara marble.
Calacatta: bold veins on a whiter ground
Calacatta usually has a brighter white background with thicker, more dramatic veining, often grey and sometimes tinged with gold or brown. It is quarried in the same area but is rarer, which is why it is usually priced higher.
Statuario: bright white with fine grey lines
Statuario is a bright, fine-grained white marble with relatively sparse, defined grey veining. The name reflects its traditional use for statues.
Simple checks when buying
Compare the background colour and the scale of the veins in the photos. Ask the seller for the origin and whether it is solid marble, a veneer or a resin-based imitation. Real marble feels cold and heavy for its size. Our guide on real marble versus resin covers further safe checks. Keep in mind that photos and screens can change how white a stone appears.
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More guides
- Real Marble or Resin? Six Safe Checks Before You BuyHow to tell genuine marble from cast resin or "cultured marble" in photos and in hand, without damaging the piece, plus a quick note on handmade vs. machine-made glass marbles.