Forged by Nature. Perfected by Time.
A marble quarry is a breathtaking sight. It's an immense, open-pit mine carved into the side of a mountain, revealing layers of stone formed over millions of years. The process of extracting this stone is a delicate blend of massive power and surgical precision.
1) Locating the Vein: Geologists first study the mountain to identify the highest quality marble deposits, or "veins." The goal is to find stone with the desired color, pattern, and structural integrity. Famous quarries, like those in Carrara, Italy (the source of the stone used by Michelangelo), have been prized for centuries for their pure white and beautifully veined marble.
2) Removing the Overburden: Before reaching the marble, workers must clear away tons of earth, soil, and lesser-quality rock that sit on top. This is known as the "overburden."
3) The Cut (Extraction): This is the most critical stage. Unlike quarrying for materials like gravel, where explosives can be used, marble must be extracted in huge, intact, rectangular blocks to be usable.
4) Separation and Transport: Once the cuts are made, the massive block (which can weigh hundreds of tons) is carefully separated from the mountain using hydraulic splitters or airbags. Giant cranes and heavy-duty loaders then lift these raw blocks and transport them to processing facilities.
5) Slab Fabrication: At the factory, the blocks are cut into thinner slabs using a "gang saw," which is a series of large blades that slice the entire block at once. The slabs are then polished, honed, or given other finishes to reveal their inner beauty before being shipped around the world.
Once your natural stone arrives, our expert fabrication team transforms these raw slabs into precision-cut masterpieces for your space. Learn more about our stone craftsmanship process or explore sintered stone alternatives.
