Nero Marquina marble is a type of black marble that is quarried from the regions of Northern Spain in Markina, Basque Country. The location lends a variation of its name to the natural stone, with its distinctive white veining pattern against a pitch-black background.
The fine and compact grain of this marble gives it the look of a starry night sky, adorned with lightning-like veining that never follows the same pattern twice. The natural stone is cool to the touch, and brings a touch of sophistication into any room.
Nero Marquina marble can be polished or unpolished, and blends perfectly in designs with gold hues, wooden accents, or plum tones. The natural stone has a porcelain-like effect that gives it a look of delicateness and exquisiteness.
Popular Uses
Much like other types of natural stone, Nero Marquina marble can be used in a plethora of areas around the home or office; though the stone works best in highly-visible areas where viewers can appreciate its beauty.
Common uses for the Nero Marquina marble include countertops, high-end conference tables, bathroom wall tile, kitchen islands, and marble tile floors in entryways and offices. Unlike white marble, Nero Marquina marble offers design opportunities with dark-themed rooms and offices, providing a gorgeous contrast with its compact grain.
Other uses for the natural stone is in outdoor baths and springs, where the dark marble blends well with the sunlight sparkling through the waters. However, this marble is not the common stone of choice for these types of areas.
Nero Marquina is commonly seen in high-end offices, where the stone is used to provide an impressive feature to the office. Marble tile floors made with Nero Marquina are also popular in high-class offices, hotels, and restaurants. Other than floors, marble tile walls can also be made with Nero Marquina, and so can end tables and abstract works.
Care & Maintenance
The natural stone has a shiny finish that mimics the gleam of porcelain, and as such, is not difficult to keep spills from tainting the fine and compact grain of the marble material. Keeping your marble clean and well-maintained brings many benefits, and can make your marble last for generations.
1. Avoid acidic solutions
Acid is the number one enemy of marble, and using acidic solutions on Nero Marquina can etch the surface, causing cloudy white patches to form on the surface. Instead, use mild cleaners, such as ones that are formulated specifically for marble and granite stones.
StoneCare and Granite Gold are just two of the commercially-available cleaning solutions meant for natural stone maintenance. Their formulas effectively remove dirt and oils without harming the marble, so you can clean the surface without worrying over damaging the white veins.
2. Avoid bleach on the marble
As the natural stone is a black marble, any bleach dropped on the surface can whiten and damage the material. Bleach, alcohol, and other harsh chemicals can corrode the natural stone, giving it a dull appearance. Avoid bringing these items near your marble, and never use these to clean the surface.
3. Get professional cleaning services for important marbles
Exquisite marbles can be intimidating to clean by yourself; but luckily, there are professional cleaning services that can turn your accented marble fixtures into customer-creating finishes that will put your clients in awe when they visit your office. Of course, professional cleaning services are also effective around the home, so you can avoid future repairs, and appreciate your marble more.
Other Facts about Nero Marquina
Nero Marquina is one of the most important marbles in Spain. The stone has worldwide recognition, and is now found in regions around China and Iran as well. Compared to other black marbles, this type can be noted by its fine, thin white veins that scatter around the black material. The veining is akin to sketch marks, and often strike evidently and abundantly in contrast to the ebony background.
Carrara can be combined with this black marble to form a chessboard-styled tile flooring that exhibits a retro and classy look for any home. As seen in the homes of interior designer Dana Naim, and Beverly Hills home designed by Oliver M. Furth.
Choosing Nero Marquina
For many homeowners, the choice of marble they prefer is dependent on the surrounding design of their home. However, for exquisite and unique marbles like Nero Marquinas, designers do it the other way around. This type of marble is meant to be the centerpiece of the room, not a supplementary piece.
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