Indian Marble vs Italian Marble: Which is the Best Choice?

It is no secret that when it comes to giving a sense of luxury and aesthetic to home décor, nothing tops marble. This luxurious material has the potential to instantly change the look of any room. Although, have you ever wondered which marble option is superior? Who will triumph in the age-old conflict between Italian and Indian marble? What is the difference between Indian marble and Italian marble? 

If yes, we are here to assist you choose the best marble for your home in India. Everything from variations to cost has been covered in this blog. 

So, let's take a dive into the world of marble and discover which one suits your taste, style, and living space. Italian Marble vs Indian Marble

What Is Indian and Italian Marble?

Indian marble is a cost-effective option with a wide range of hues and textures. It has a medium shine and a high level of durability, making it an excellent choice for flooring in India.

Italian marble, renowned for its glossy shine and aesthetic appeal, originated in Italy but is widely available in India. It has an exquisite style and is typically found in slabs.

Indian Marble vs Italian Marble

• Origin: Indian marble comes from regions such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, while Italian marble is exclusively found in Italy.
• Polishing: Indian marble offers polished and unpolished variants, whereas Italian marble is typically one-sided polished.
• Gloss: Italian marble has high gloss, but Indian marble has a medium gloss. 
• Softness: Italian marble is exceptionally soft, but Indian marble is quite tough.
• Price: The cost of Indian marble commences at ₹50 per sq. ft., whereas Italian marble starts at ₹350 per sq. ft.
• Craftsmanship: Indian marble requires less skilled craftsmen for installation, while Italian marble demands highly skilled artisans.
• Thickness: The thickness of Indian marble varies, whereas Italian marble comes in 18 to 20mm slabs.

Popular Types of Marble

Indian Marble Types

Indian marble comes in a wide variety of colors, including yellow, green, red, white, pink, and black. The following are some of the best marble varieties for flooring in India:

• Lustrous white Makrana marble (famously witnessed in the Taj Mahal) 
• Jodhpur pink marble 
• White Statuario Indian marble
• Rajasthan's Indian green marble 
• Gujarat's white Ambaji marble 
• Onyx marble, which is named for the strong bands of alternate color seen in Italian marble.

Italian Marble Types

Italian marble varieties, like their Indian counterparts, exist in a range of colors and textures, although a handful are well-known, such as: 

• Botticino marble 
• Statuario marble
• Carrera marble 
• Nero (black) Marquina and so on

Different Uses: Italian Marble vs Indian Marble

Indian Marble

• Flooring
• Countertops in the kitchen and bathroom
• Tables

Italian Marble

• Decorative elements on walls, flooring
• Tabletops
  

Which is cheaper?

Indian Marble Price in India: Indian marble prices range from ₹70 to ₹200 per sq. ft., with Makrana marble, India's premium variety, starting at ₹200 per sq. ft. 

Italian Marble Price in India: Italian marble prices may vary from ₹150 to ₹900 per sq. ft. and may sometimes exceed these figures.

Laying Costs

In addition to marble cost, installation expenses are significant: 

For Indian marble the laying and polishing cost is ₹140 per sq.ft. and ₹59 per sq. ft. respectively. 

For Italian marble the laying and polishing cost is ₹255 per sq. ft. and ₹106 per sq. ft. respectively. 

Laying marble involves a labour-intensive process of creating a base with cement and river sand. Laying marble involves creating a base of cement and river sand before placing the marble slabs, and is, therefore, a labour-intensive task.

Tips for Maintaining the Indian and Italian Marble

Having a marble kitchen countertop and an exclusive marble flooring tile sounds marvellous, but does it stay that way? Here are some tips to follow to make your marble look as good as new

• Sweep regularly to get rid of dust and to sustain the beauty of your marble. 
• Use a mild detergent or specializing marble-cleaning products to clean. 
• Avoid abrasive scrubbing; mop gently. 
• Apply a marble sealer to prevent staining. 
• Prevent dragging heavy objects. 
• Promptly clean spills, particularly acidic liquids. 
• Periodically polish both Indian and Italian marble to maintain gloss.

Things to Watch Out for

• Ensure consistent marble slab thickness, ideally 18 mm, to prevent cracking. 
• Inspect for cracks and stains. 
• Examine marble slabs with sample pieces to estimate usage and reduce wastage. 
• Consider the possibility of breakage during transit.

Strength and Durability of Indian and Italian Marble

Indian marble is more durable in general. Italian marble is soft but available in 18 to 20 mm thickness, potentially developing small hairline cracks over time. In Italian marble, a thin nylon film is added for strength.

Pros and Cons of Indian and Italian Marble

Indian Marble

Pros

• Locally available
• Low installation cost
• Durability and stain-resistant
  

Cons

• Limited variety
• Less gloss
• Less grains

Italian Marble

Pros

• Extensive variety
• High gloss
• Superior Grain quality

Cons

• Installation cost is high and skilled labours needed
• Porous/soft, so can stain easily
• High-maintenance

Trendy Marble ideas

Now that you've got a thorough understanding of the world of marble, the decision may appear a little difficult. But worry not, since trends are here to guide you.

An intriguing trend emerged in which homeowners opt for vibrant marble decor. These designs offer vibrant, striated patterns and one-of-a-kind color combinations that provide a pleasant splash of life to their living spaces. So, if you're seeking to add a sense of modern flare and strong, eye-catching aesthetics to your house, these trendy marble patterns can be the right choice for you.

In conclusion, both Indian and Italian marble have advantages and disadvantages, so select what best meets your needs. You may have a certain aesthetic in mind and a budget to stick to while building or renovating your house. You can choose the right kind of marble for your space once you keep these things in mind.