Brazilian quarry yields a range of white marble



Although the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil is internationally renowned for its granite quarries, it also has sites for high-quality marble extraction. One example is the Extra White Marble Quarry owned by Marbella of Vitoria, Espirito Santo. This quarry produces several types of marble, with wide variation among materials.

One of the most unique stone varieties extracted from the site is Paul Klee marble. This distinctive stone was named for a Swiss architect whose paintings followed abstract forms - from the veins of a leaf to the patterning of marble surfaces. Paul Klee marble has extremely distinctive veining in shades of light green, pink and gray, and unlike some white marble varieties, the stone is hard enough to be used as a countertop, as it is composed of 14% silica. This also makes the stone suitable for high-traffic areas such as staircases.

Another stone extracted from the Extra White Marble Quarry is Madreperola marble (literally translated as “Mother of Pearl”). This stone has shades of light and dark green, and a distinctive patterning that allows for creative book-matching.

A third material from the quarry is Argento, which is white with more traditional light gray veining.

The quarry produces 150 cubic materials of meters per month, with Paul Klee and Paul Klee light coming from a special layer of the quarry.

To extract the stone, workers use pneumatic drills and Pellegrini diamond wire saws from Italy. No blasting is needed, and as a result, production is optimized with very few cracks. A typical block is 6 to 7 cubic meters in size.

The stone is marketed toward a range of international destinations, including the U.S., and it is sold through Itaarte of Embu, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Did you enjoy this article? Click here to subscribe to Stone World 

Column-picsmall

Michael Reis has been working for Stone World Magazine since 1993. In his role as Editor and Associate Publisher, he covers all aspects of the stone industry, from quarrying to fabrication to installation. He contributes feature articles as well as writes the Stone Column, which is a monthly commentary on industry issues and trends. Emailmichael@stoneworld.com

Recent Articles by Michael Reis

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Multimedia

Videos

Image Galleries

Surfaces 2013 preview

Surfaces 2013 -- to be held in conjunction with StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas -- is slated for January 29 to 31 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV. The show, which also includes an extensive educational program that will be held from January 28 to 31, provides a place for thousands of floor covering retailers, distributors, installers, architects, designers and builders from around the world to gather and view the latest products, get vital education, network with other floor covering professionals and conduct business.

More than 600 of the largest manufacturers and suppliers representing products in every major category, including carpet, tile, hardwood, rugs, laminate, resilient and stone, are expected to exhibit at the trade show. Hanley Wood, owner and operator of the exhibition, reports that they have many new exhibiting companies and returning ones who have expanded their booth size. Additionally, Surfaces 2013 will host more than 40 workshops, seminars and mini sessions led by industry experts in the fields of business, sales, marketing, installation and design. Attendees can earn AIA, NKBA, AIBD, IICRC and AIA/CES industry designation. Here is just a small sampling of some of the displays that will be present at Surfaces 2013.

THE MAGAZINE

Stone World Magazine

SW May 2013 cover

May 2013

Stone World's new issue includes a feature on the restoration of St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls, SD as well as an inside look at the Artisan Group’s annual fabrication event in Austin, TX.

Table Of Contents Subscribe

Contemporary Stone & Tile Design Magazine

CSTD Spring 2013 cover

2013 Spring

CSTD's Spring issue features a special on Kitchen and Bath renovation. This edition also takes a look at the continuing popularity of quartz surfacing.

Table Of Contents Subscribe

Business Staff

How is your business currently staffed?
View Results Poll Archive

The Stone World Store

Tile_Style_for_the_Home.gif
Tile Style for the Home

This book illustrates almost 500 contemporary tile projects, with thousands of ideas for illuminating a home with the beauty of tile.

More Products

Stone Guide

cover

The directory for Stone, Equipment and Supplies - the single information resource readers turn to.

Visit Stone Guide today!

  

Stone Industry Education

stone industry educationStone Industry Education is sponsored by Stone World Magazine and Marble Institute of America. The SIE events will help you: strengthen your skills, build your business, and  increase profit in your shop.  Check out stoneindustryeducation.com to register for upcoming fabricator and installer seminars.

STAY CONNECTED

facebook logo Twitter  YouTube