Choosing a stone
Every table is made to order from a natural slab, so the veining, colour and markings on yours will be unique. This guide compares the main table stones, introduces the ones in our range, and helps you choose.
How the stones compare
| Marble | Onyx | Granite (available to order) |
Quartz (available to order) |
Travertine | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Look | Soft veining, every slab unique | Bold bands, can be translucent | Speckled or flecked | Even, consistent pattern | Warm tones, small natural pores |
| Stains | Moderate. Acids such as wine and citrus can etch it | Low. Very absorbent | High once sealed | Very high | Low. The most porous of these stones |
| Scratches | Moderate | Low. Softer than marble | High | High | Moderate |
| Heat | Fine for brief warmth. Use mats | Use mats | High | Low. Heat can damage the resin | Fine for brief warmth. Use mats |
| Sealing | Seal periodically | Seal more often than marble | Seal periodically | Not needed | Seal regularly |
| Daily care | pH-neutral cleaner and coasters | Same as marble, and wipe spills at once | Neutral cleaner | Wipe clean | Same as marble |
| Best for | Dining, coffee, console and side tables | Coffee and feature tables | Busy dining tables | Busy dining tables | Coffee and side tables |
Sources: Veltora, Good Housekeeping, Marcelina, Dynamic Stone Tools
The stones in our range
Calacatta
White with bold grey veining, and a classic choice for dining. It's in our range as a 6-seat dining table (polished) and a console table.
Calacatta Viola
White with dramatic purple and burgundy veining. It's our widest range, covering coffee, console and side tables, including polished options.
Emperador
Rich brown with fine light veining, available in dark and light shades. Our Emperador coffee tables include polished tops.
Griseo Rosa
Soft pink-grey marble, which we offer as the Rosaline dining table.
Sienna Giallo
Warm golden marble, which we offer as the Harper coffee table with a honed top.
Forest Green
Deep green with white veining. We have honed console and side tables and a polished coffee table.
Onyx
Deep black. It's in our dining and coffee ranges, and we offer polished and matte side tables. Onyx is more delicate than marble, so treat it gently.
Travertine
Warm tones with small natural pores. It's in our dining, coffee, side, café, bistro and bar ranges, see Travertine Tables. It's the most porous of these stones, so seal it regularly and wipe spills straight away.
Granite and quartz
Available to order. Contact us at grosvenormarbleco@gmail.com.
Honed or polished?
A polished top is glossy and brings out the veining. A honed top is matt and makes everyday marks less visible.
Source: Night & Day Stone
Which stone suits me?
- Young children: choose a stone with busy veining and a honed finish, because both hide small marks. For a hard-working dining table, granite or quartz is tougher.
- Red wine and citrus: marble, onyx and travertine can etch, so use coasters and wipe spills straight away. Granite and quartz don't etch.
- Dining every day: choose marble or a tougher stone. Keep onyx for coffee tables and feature pieces.
Why every slab is different
Marble forms naturally over a very long time, so no two slabs share the same veining or colour. The photos show the stone, and your table's pattern will be unique to it.
