Marble and Granite Library

Natural marble stone is a wonderful investment piece. Anything stylish and luxurious deserves proper care and maintenance.  Whether it's natural stones, leather, gold, silver, if you overlook the basic maintenance, you could risk damaging your beautiful product.

Marble is a very durable material that is made to last, but it is also not indestructible. There is science, chemistry to the natural stone that can enhance the natural material or harm it. 

Natural stones have been shaped by artisans for centuries, signifying extraordinary powers when matched with the right owner.

Gemstones, marble, granite, etc. represents a sense of balance of energy.  It's has a hard structure yet requires soft delicacy to mend.

Our use of natural stones bring alive the ancient practices of jewelry marking.  Each stone carrying a different story and connection to its rightful owner.  

Many times, these type special stones were only worn by high priests and royalty.

In various cultures and religions, certain gemstones are believed to hold spiritual power and meaning. Every stone is different, and we believe its unexpected character gives it personal energy.

One of the most popular stones is Tiger's Eye which offers Balance, Stealth, Vitality, Strength of Will. 

Tiger's Eye has been a prized item for more than 5000 years.  The ancient Egyptians believed it contains both the power of the Sun and the Earth.  High priests used the gemstone to transmit the power of the Sun God Ra, to create material success.

Tiger’s Eye recharges its energy through sunlight.  These special gemstones are terrific for visionaries who want to enhance their current abilities. 

Stones of Emerald green enhances fidelity, memory, and intelligence.

The brilliant green of these emerald green stones symbolizes rebirth, new growth, and prosperity.   

Ancient Egyptians and pre-columbian empires overflowed their treasures with emerald green stones.

Laguna Blue Quartz is a powerful stone for activating the higher mind and enhancing intellectual ability. 

Laguna Blue is one of the most sought after stones in use since man's history began. The deep celestial blue has always symbolized gods and power, spirit and vision, royalty and honor. Think Superman!   Its color is a universal symbol of wisdom and truth.

It is an excellent stone for executives, journalists, and psychologists, stimulating wisdom and good judgment in the practical world. It aids intellectual analysis in archeologists and historians,

It aids creativity for Inventors, artists, and creatives, clarity for problem-solving for lawyers, and helps engineers, historians, academics to process intellectual data.

Natural stones have always been an inspiration for MIKOL.  The stones used, bear the imprint of nature and embody the significance of each of our collections.

Marble has brought elegance and class to homes, commercial building, castles and so on for centuries.  In recent times, the love for marble has grew to furniture and now fashion accessories and clothing designs.  Unfortunately, due to the nature of the product, there are many limitations to its usage which is why we have a mixture of faux marble.  It can be difficult to tell if you are looking at authentic marble, faux marble or simple a print. Modern imitative materials can replicate the exact look and functionality of marble. Man-made marble has its own beauty and value -- but you may want to know when you're looking at the real thing. Learning the characteristics of marble will help you identify it on sight.

Marble is a metamorphic rock that is created when limestone is subjected to a considerable amount of heat and pressure within the earth's crust, making it a dense and durable material. It gets its unique coloring, textures and veins from the metamorphic change that the limestone undergoes regarding its marble effect and mineral composition. Basically, marble undergoes a re-crystallization process wherein fossil materials and other sundry elements and minerals are heated and pressurized, creating the stone.

Difference Between Fake And Real Marble Tiles

Once we understand how real marble is formed, we can get a better understanding why the patterns are so random, so different and never ever the same.   This is one of the most unique part of marble and why we love it.  Everyone wants to have their own identity and be different.  Marble can provide the elegance and beauty, but at the same time not be the same as the person next to you.

The veins and swirls present in many marble pieces occur when various mineral impurities mix with the original limestone. From discrete cream veins in white Carrara marble to violet, red or blue veins in yellow Sienna marble, natural marble will show its impurities through long sinewy streaks.  Manufactured materials can imitate a swirled, veined look, but will not show the depth and dimension that the naturally occurring veining in marble does.

The glossiness of a true marble is one of its most desirable attributes and distinguishable characteristics and can't be sustainably imitated. 

Fake Marble

These days imitation marble does a great job at copying the beauty of marble and allowing it to be more affordable than the real thing.  Whether it's engineered marble or high quality printing like the above photo.  

But there are characteristics that our technology still can't copy.  

To experienced and knowledgable marble lovers, it's the feel, the touch and the minor flaws that are inherent in each real marble that makes the difference between real marble and fake marble.  

However, the simplest test to determine real marble and fake marble is it's appearance.  As we know how marble is formed now, we understand the basic that each pattern is always different.

The problem with printed and or engineered marble is that it is machine and mass produced.  So every pattern is exactly the same as attached above.  

Both options are great! If you just want the beauty and look of marble without having to spend too much.  Faux marble is a great option.  If you want to spend a little more and have a product/design that will never be the same as another person, then real marble is probably worth your money. 

               Example:  Look at the veining of these different marble accessories. They are similar, yet they vary in it's own way.  Just like how we are all humans, but even twins have their differences.

Hope you enjoyed the article!

With the rise of Chinese factories swapping original Italian marble with China marble, it's maybe good to know how to identify real Italian Carrara Marble from Chinese Carrara Marble.

Here is another article on how to identify the origin of marble