Is Marble the Most Expensive Stone?

Pictured is our Calacatta Primavera Marble – Villa D’Estate.

Introduction

Marble has long been regarded as one of the most sought-after natural stones in the world, synonymous with luxury, sophistication, and timeless beauty. From ancient sculptures to modern architectural masterpieces, its distinctive veining and polished elegance have made it a preferred choice for high-end interiors. But when it comes to price, how does marble compare to other premium stones? Is marble the most expensive stone, or are there rarer and more costly alternatives?

At Worldstone, we specialise in sourcing and importing the finest natural stones, including a carefully curated selection of premium marble, into Australia. Our expertise allows us to provide architects and interior designers with access to some of the most exquisite marble varieties, ensuring their projects reflect both quality and distinction. In this blog post, we’ll explore whether marble truly holds the title of the most expensive stone and what factors influence its value.

Understanding Marble

What is Marble?

Marble is a metamorphic stone formed from sedimentary rock that has undergone transformation through intense heat and pressure over millions of years. This natural process fuses mineral elements together, resulting in marble’s signature veining, colour variations, and crystalline structure. The composition of the original sedimentary rock influences the final appearance of the marble; for example, white marbles originate from purer limestone with minimal impurities, allowing for a pristine, bright finish.

Pictured is our Carrara Marble.

Types of Marble

Marble is found in a vast array of varieties worldwide, each distinguished by its unique veining, colouration, and characteristics. The names of different marbles often reflect their specific vein patterns and hues, and even within a single type – such as Calacatta – there are multiple subcategories, each offering its own distinct aesthetic.

Some of the most renowned white marbles come from the Carrara region in Tuscany, Italy, including:

• Carrara Marble – Characterised by a soft grey background with fine, linear veining, making it a classic and widely used choice.
• Calacatta Marble – Known for its striking, bold veining on a bright white background, Calacatta marble is considered one of the most luxurious and sought-after stones.
• Statuario Marble – A highly refined marble with dramatic, deep grey veining against a luminous white background, prized for its rarity and beauty.

Beyond white marble, a stunning spectrum of colours await – ranging from rich greens and deep blues to warm golds and bold reds. For centuries, vividly coloured marbles have adorned palaces, villas, and places of worship, prized for their exceptional beauty and enduring strength. These natural masterpieces, often referred to as “jewels from the earth,” hold immense aesthetic value and remain highly sought after. Marbles like Four Seasons Marble, quarried in the French Alps, feature an exquisite fusion of colours in dynamic, flowing patterns, making them a striking choice for statement designs. There is a limitless range of colour and pattern in marble and whilst white marble will always be in high demand the demand for interesting and exotic marbles has increased dramatically in the past decade.

Pictured is our Four Season Marble – Black Rock House.

Why is White Marble So Sought After?

White stone, and in particular white marble, has long been synonymous with luxury and timeless elegance. In general, the purer and whiter the stone’s background, the greater its demand – and consequently, its value. Among natural stones, marble stands out as the whitest, whereas other stone types such as limestone, quartzite, travertine, and granite do not occur in a true pure white. The rarity of white marble elevates the value of high-quality, bright white selections, further cementing its prestige in architecture and design.

Where Does Worldstone Source its Marble?

At Worldstone, we import the finest marble selections from Italy, which is renowned for its exceptional stone quality, craftsmanship, and quarrying expertise. The Carrara region is particularly famous for producing the world’s most exquisite white marbles, such as Calacatta, Statuario, and Viola. Our long-standing relationships with trusted suppliers in Italy allow us to offer premium selections tailored to our clients’ needs.

While Greece is also known for its high-quality white marbles, Italian marble is widely regarded as superior in terms of durability, aesthetic appeal, and technical performance. Italy remains the global leader in natural stone production, thanks to its centuries-old expertise in quarrying and processing marble, ensuring unmatched craftsmanship and quality.

Suitable Applications of Marble

Marble’s versatility makes it a popular choice for various interior and exterior applications, including:

• Flooring – Elegant and durable, marble flooring brings a touch of luxury to both residential and commercial spaces, offering a diverse range of colours to suit any design aesthetic. 
• Wall Cladding – Large-format marble slabs or tiles can create stunning feature walls, especially when vein-matched, enhancing both indoor and outdoor spaces with seamless, natural elegance. 
• Kitchen Countertops & Bathroom Vanities – The natural veining of marble adds sophistication to kitchens and bathrooms.
• Furniture & Decorative Features – From dining tables to reception desks, marble is often used to craft bespoke, statement pieces.

Worldstone’s expertise in stone selection ensures that clients choose the right marble for their projects, balancing beauty with functionality. 

Pictured is our Scarpa Mosaic Emperador Brown Marble – Humphrey’s Hotel

The recently completed Humphrey’s Hotel commercial project features Scarpa Mosaic Emperador Brown Marble mosaic flooring in high-traffic areas, including the entry, bar, and food service spaces. This choice not only enhances the design but also provides durability, making it a practical yet luxurious solution. Similarly, the high end residential Black Rock House project features Four Seasons Marble, Rilio Marble, and Alba Marble, selected for their unique colours and patterns, forming a key element of the interior design.

Whether it’s for a high-end residential space or a commercial project, marble remains an enduring material of choice, bringing elegance, history, and craftsmanship into every space it adorns. 

At Worldstone, we pride ourselves on exceptional customer service, combining deep industry expertise with a carefully curated selection of premium marble. Our team guides clients through the selection process, ensuring they find the perfect stone to bring their vision to life with confidence.

The Cost of Marble

Factors Affecting the Price of Marble

The price of marble is influenced by several key factors, including:

• Colour and Pattern – Marbles with rare and aesthetically unique patterns command higher prices.
• Pattern Balance and Consistency – Uniform and well-distributed veining increases desirability.
• Supply & Demand – Limited availability or high demand significantly impacts cost.
• Fashion Trends – Popular colour trends in interior design affect the popularity and price of certain marbles.
• Slab Size and Slab Quality – Larger, flawless slabs are more valuable due to their suitability for high-end applications.

Supply and demand remain the primary drivers of marble pricing. For instance, Calacatta and Carrara marble are both quarried from the same region under similar geological conditions. However, premium Calacatta marble can be valued up to five times higher than premium Carrara marble, purely due to its limited supply and greater demand in high-end markets.

Fashion trends also play a role in marble pricing. Currently, warm tones and bold character stones are in high demand, influencing the pricing of certain marble varieties, including our Calacatta Viola and Monet Marble.

The Impact of Sourcing and Transportation Costs

The cost of marble is also impacted by logistics. Stone is a naturally heavy material and must be imported in 20ft shipping containers, making transportation a significant factor in overall pricing. This means for lower-value stones like terrazzo, freight costs make up a considerable portion of the landed price compared with higher-value stone.

At Worldstone, we focus exclusively on premium selection marble, which is always in limited supply. Due to the multiple steps involved in importing stone from overseas and the vast distances covered to bring it to Australia, our philosophy is to work only with the highest quality materials.

Is Marble the Most Expensive Stone?

While marble is considered one of the most premium natural stones, it is not always the most expensive. Other high-end materials, such as onyx, quartzite, and rare granites, can exceed marble in cost due to their rarity and distinctive characteristics. Within each stone category, certain selections command a higher price based on quality and exclusivity. For marble, prices typically range from $180 per m² to $2,500 per m², depending on factors such as rarity, origin, and overall quality.

Pictured is our Patagonia Classico Granite – Leichhardt House

Certain marbles, like Calacatta Borghini,  are incredibly exclusive, making them some of the most expensive stones available. However, ultra-rare quartzites, such as our Faberge Cristallo Quartzite, exotic onyx varieties, such as our Byzantine Onyx and granites such as our Patagonia Pink Granite can reach even higher price points, especially when considering their extreme durability and unique aesthetics.

Ultimately, marble remains one of the most desirable and luxurious natural stones, but pricing varies widely depending on selection, availability, and market trends.

The Value of Marble

Marble as an Investment

Marble is more than just a design choice – it is an investment in timeless luxury and long-term value. Properties and projects featuring high-quality marble often command higher market value due to the material’s enduring appeal and association with prestige. Unlike synthetic alternatives, which may degrade or go out of fashion, marble remains a classic choice that enhances a space’s aesthetic and financial value.

Pictured is our Cipollino Ondulato Marble – Bellevue Hill House Powder Room Project

One of the key advantages of marble is its durability and longevity. When properly maintained, marble can last for generations, making it a sustainable and cost-effective material in the long run. Historic buildings and luxury estates worldwide showcase the resilience of marble, with centuries-old installations retaining their beauty and sophistication.

Why Choose Marble Despite the Cost?

Although marble is a premium investment, it offers numerous benefits that justify its price:

• Natural Beauty – No synthetic alternative can replicate the organic veining, depth, and movement of genuine marble.
• Luxury Appeal – Marble has been synonymous with elegance for centuries, making it a perfect choice for high-end projects.
• Unique Designs – Each marble slab is one of a kind, ensuring bespoke and exclusive interior and exterior finishes.

Many architects and interior designers consistently favour marble for its unmatched elegance and authenticity. 

Pictured is our Brescia Green – Pavillion House. Find out more about this project here.

Worldstone’s focus on sourcing only premium selections ensures that our clients receive the finest quality marble, further enhancing the value of their projects. Whether used in residential homes, commercial spaces, or hospitality venues, marble continues to stand the test of time as the ultimate statement of sophistication and craftsmanship.

Conclusion

While marble is not always the most expensive natural stone, its premium selections can command some of the highest prices in the industry. The rarity of certain varieties, the high demand for classic white marbles, and the logistical costs of importing premium selections all contribute to its value. However, despite the cost, marble remains one of the most sought-after materials for high-end residential and commercial projects. Its natural beauty, luxurious appeal, and timeless elegance make it an investment that enhances both the aesthetic and financial value of any space.

At Worldstone, we take pride in sourcing and importing the most exquisite marble selections into Australia. With an extensive range of colours and patterns, we work closely with architects and interior designers across Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, and Melbourne to find the perfect marble for their projects.

If you’re looking to incorporate the stunning beauty of marble into your next project, we invite you to book an appointment to visit our showroom today. Our team is ready to provide you with the finest selection of natural stone and marble, ensuring quality, expertise, and exceptional service at every step.

Fill out our form here or call us at +61 2 8335 0700. Our showroom is open by appointment only, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Explore our curated selection of marble slabs here.

Watch a sourcing trip to Carrara, Italy, where we invited select clients of ours to come along and discover the home of marble here.