How Marble, Granite, and Other Stones Get Their Names

Frederick M Hueston  www.sr-manual.com

One of the most fascinating—and sometimes frustrating—aspects of the stone industry is the way natural stones get their names. Unlike standardized naming conventions in other industries, there’s no governing body or official naming system for stones. This lack of standardization means that stone suppliers, quarries, and fabricators can name a stone anything they want.

This practice can lead to confusion for consumers and restoration professionals alike. A single type of stone may have several different names depending on where you’re buying it, and sometimes completely unrelated stones can be given similar names for marketing purposes. Let’s take a closer look at how stones are named and why it matters in the world of stone restoration.

Marketing over Mineralogy: The Wild World of Stone Names

Most natural stones are named based on a combination of factors:

Geographic location – Some stones are named after the area where they are quarried. For example, “Carrara Marble” comes from the Carrara region in Italy. However, stones from different quarries or regions nearby might also be called “Carrara” even if they don’t have the same characteristics.

Visual characteristics – Names often reflect the appearance of the stone, such as “Blue Pearl” granite, which has shimmering, pearl-like flecks.

Branding and marketing – Many stone suppliers create attractive names to make a stone more appealing to consumers. A stone that might have a mundane technical name at the quarry could become something exotic-sounding like “Venetian Gold” or “Fantasy Brown” when sold at a retail level.

The result? One stone may have multiple names—or worse, completely different stones may be sold under the same name!

Examples of Confusing Stone Names

Fantasy Brown – Despite its popularity as a “marble,” Fantasy Brown is actually a type of dolomite or quartzite, depending on the specific mineral content. Yet, it’s often sold in the marble section at showrooms, which can lead to confusion during restoration when the client expects it to behave like traditional marble.

Black Absolute – This is a famous example of a name that applies to different stones. True “Absolute Black” granite comes from India, but some sellers use the same name for similar-looking stones from China and Zimbabwe, which may have subtle differences in composition and porosity.

Calacatta and Carrara Marble – These two names are often used interchangeably by suppliers and fabricators, but they are distinct types of marble. Calacatta typically has bold veining and a whiter background, while Carrara has finer veining and a grayer base. However, variations exist, and some stones marketed as “Calacatta” may not be from the same geological source.

Super White – This stone, often marketed as marble, is usually a dolomitic quartzite or dolomite. It’s a great example of how names are more about sales appeal than scientific accuracy.

Why It Matters for Restoration Contractors

For stone restoration professionals, understanding the naming conventions—or lack thereof—is critical to delivering the right results. Since stone names aren’t always accurate, it’s important to identify the stone type through observation and testing rather than relying solely on the name provided by the client or supplier.

Some key tips include:

Perform a scratch test to determine hardness—this can help distinguish softer marbles from harder quartzites.

Use a porosity test to check whether the stone absorbs moisture. This can help identify granite versus materials like sandstone or quartzite.

Pay attention to the veining and pattern—stones like dolomitic marble can resemble quartzite but behave differently during restoration.

The world of stone names is as colorful and varied as the stones themselves. While exotic names can help sell slabs, they can also create confusion for professionals tasked with cleaning, polishing, and restoring those surfaces. Knowing that there is no standard naming system can help you approach each job with caution and curiosity.

Remember: when in doubt, test the stone. A name is just a label—what really matters is knowing the stone’s true characteristics so you can apply the right restoration techniques.