Large-Scale ProductionInternational CoverageQuarrying Sites

Quarrying Perlato marble for 125 years

Set in the mountains of Valderice in the Trapani region of Sicily, Italy, Levante & Co. has been quarrying Perlato marble since 1887. Led by owner Baldo Levante, the company is in its third generation. Levante takes pride in following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Baldassare Levante, who founded the stone business.

Stone Worldand the delegation of U.S. fabricators and stone suppliers had the opportunity to visit Levante & Co.’s Perlato marble quarry, which has been in operation for approximately 40 years. The quarry is roughly 60 to 80 meters deep, and it produces between 20,000 and 30,000 tons of marble annually.

With 10 full-time employees, the quarry is operational year-round. On average, blocks weigh 25 tons, and the minimum size is 15 tons.

At the time of Stone World’s visit, a wall was being taken down at the quarry site. Levante explained that the process is called bancata. Air cushions were put in place behind the wall to expand the crack, and then Caterpillar excavators were used to pull the wall down. Once the block is cut, it is washed off so the true color of the stone is revealed.

KEYWORDS: quarrying stone industry

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Launching her career with BNP Media in 1996, Jennifer Richinelli is the Editor-in-Chief of Stone World, a leading publication serving the global stone and tile industry. With a strong background in journalism and trade publishing, she oversees the magazine’s editorial direction, delivering in-depth coverage of industry trends, innovative technologies, architectural applications and breaking industry news.

Throughout her career, Jennifer has built a reputation for connecting industry professionals with valuable insights, highlighting the work of fabricators, designers, architects and other industry leaders. Known for her thoughtful editorial voice and commitment to quality content, Jennifer continues to play a vital role in shaping conversations within the stone industry while fostering a platform that celebrates craftsmanship, innovation and design excellence.

In 2010, the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association (ASCER) awarded Jennifer with the International Journalism Award for her extensive coverage of the Spanish tile industry. Additionally, she was the recipient of the 2026 Coverings Champions People’s Choice Award.

email: richinellij@bnpmedia.com | office: (201) 245-5204