BIANCO CARRARA

Bianco Carrara marble is one of the best-known and most highly appreciated Italian marbles worldwide. Quarried in the Apuan Alps, in the Carrara area, it is distinguished by its characteristic white or greyish-white background crossed by grey veining, which can be more or less pronounced depending on the selection.

Bianco Carrara, Italian marble par excellence: geographical origin and geological origin

Known to the ancient Romans as marmor lunensis, Carrara marble takes its name from the area where it is quarried, in the Apuan Alps in Tuscany, Italy.

Its geological history originates from ancient limestone deposits which, over millions of years, were subjected to high pressures and temperatures during the formation of the Apennine mountain range, undergoing a process of metamorphism.

This process transformed the original limestone into a compact crystalline rock composed mainly of calcite: the marble we know today as Bianco Carrara.

Its fine grain, bright colour and characteristic grey veining make every slab unique.

Main technical and aesthetic characteristics of Bianco Carrara marble

Elegant, bright and versatile, Bianco Carrara has been used for centuries in architecture and sculpture and remains one of the most sought-after natural stones for interior design, construction and furnishing projects.

It is a natural marble with a generally fine and compact grain, characterised by a light background crossed by grey veins and shades.

Bianco Carrara is an elegant and refined stone, at the same time resistant and unique in its kind. Petrographically it is a holocrystalline lithotype with fine grain of whitish color with dark gray veins. The thin section of the rock is made up of about 98% calcite. The macroscopic colour of the veins characterizing the material suggests that it may be magnetite.

From an aesthetic point of view, the material can show significant variations from one block to another and even between slabs from the same block. This natural variation is precisely what makes every Bianco Carrara marble slab unique.

Thanks to its good workability, the material can be processed with a wide range of surface finishes, making it particularly versatile for both classic and contemporary applications.

Bianco Carrara C and Bianco Carrara C/D: what are the differences?

Among the best-known selections are Bianco Carrara C and Bianco Carrara C/D.

Bianco Carrara C is generally characterised by a lighter and more uniform background, accompanied by fine and delicate grey veining. Its brighter background makes it particularly appreciated for projects where an elegant and luminous appearance is desired.

Below are the main technical characteristics of BIANCO CARRARA C marble:

type of test	standard	unit	medium	dev.
flexural strength	UNI EN 12372	MPa	22,1	1,4
Flexural strength after frost-thaw (48 c.)	UNI EN 12371	MPa	17,7	0,7
Resistance to abrasion wear	Appendice C UNI EN 1341	mm	19,7
Water absorption at atmospheric pressure	UNI EN 13755	% massa	0,1
apparent density	UNI EN 1936	Kg/mc.	2691
Thermal shock – mass change (20 cycles)	UNI EN 14066	%	-0,00

Bianco Carrara C/D, on the other hand, generally features a greyer background, with more visible and widespread veining.

Below are the main technical characteristics of BIANCO CARRARA C/D marble:

type of test	standard	unit	medium	dev.
flexural strength	UNI EN 12372	MPa	6,0	0,8
Flexural strength after frost-thaw (48 c.)	UNI EN 12371	MPa	3,0	0,4
Resistance to abrasion wear	Appendice C UNI EN 1341	mm	21,4
Water absorption at atmospheric pressure	UNI EN 13755	% massa	0,2
apparent density	UNI EN 1936	Kg/mc.	2704
Thermal shock – mass change (20 cycles)	UNI EN 14066	%	-0,03

The choice between Bianco Carrara C and C/D mainly depends on the desired aesthetic effect, the available selection and the specific requirements of the project.

Bianco Carrara, Calacatta, Statuario and Arabescato: they are not the same marble

The Apuan Alps are renowned for a number of prestigious Italian white marbles.

Although Bianco Carrara, Statuario, Calacatta and Arabescato all originate from the Apuan area, they have different aesthetic and commercial characteristics:

• Bianco Carrara is generally recognised by its white or greyish-white background and characteristic grey veining.
• Statuario is appreciated for its particularly light background and more defined veining.
• Calacatta frequently features broader and more pronounced veining, sometimes accompanied by warmer tones.
• Arabescato is distinguished by its characteristic veining pattern.

The choice of the most suitable marble therefore depends on the desired aesthetic, material availability and the specific requirements of the project.

Bianco Carrara marble finishes and processing

One of the characteristics that makes Bianco Carrara marble particularly versatile is the possibility of creating a wide range of surface finishes.

The main finishes include:

• Honed: a smooth, matt surface with an elegant and contemporary appearance;
• Polished: enhances the brightness of the background and the contrast of the veining;
• Satin or brushed: gives the surface a softer, more textured appearance;
• Sandblasted: creates a rougher and more natural-looking surface.

The finish is selected according to the desired aesthetic effect and the intended application.

Bianco Carrara marble: main applications

Thanks to its versatility, Bianco Carrara can be used in both classic interiors and contemporary architectural projects.

Bianco Carrara marble slabs are commonly used for:

• indoor flooring and wall cladding;
• stairs and steps;
• bathroom cladding and shower walls;
• bathroom countertops and vanity tops;
• kitchen countertops and islands;
• tables and furniture;
• decorative walls;
• contract and commercial projects;
• bespoke architectural and design elements.

Its light background helps create bright and elegant spaces, while its natural grey veining makes it easy to combine with wood, metals, glass and other natural materials.

Bianco Carrara in the history of art and architecture

Marble from the Carrara area has been used since Roman times and has played a fundamental role in the history of Italian architecture and sculpture.

During the Renaissance, Carrara became a reference point for some of the most important artists of the period. Michelangelo Buonarroti personally selected marble from the Apuan quarries for some of his works, including the “Pietà” and “David”.

Over the following centuries, Carrara marble continued to be used for buildings, monuments, sculptures and major architectural projects around the world, including the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Today, this tradition continues through the extensive use of Carrara marble in architecture, interior design and contemporary furniture.

Bianco Carrara slabs by Alberti & Alberti

Alberti & Alberti selects and supplies Bianco Carrara marble slabs to stone fabricators, architects, retailers, distributors, contractors and professionals in the natural stone industry. We do not supply private customers.

Our warehouse offers different selections of Bianco Carrara and Bianco Carrara C, with slabs available in various sizes, thicknesses and finishes.

Thanks to our in-house processing facilities, we can also provide different surface finishes for the slabs, according to the customer’s requirements and the specific needs of each project.

Visit our online warehouse of Bianco Carrara marble slabs to check available lots, slab dimensions and material characteristics.

For larger quantities, specific selections or particular project requirements, contact us to request further information, photos of the available slabs and a quotation.

FAQ

1. What thicknesses are available for Bianco Carrara marble slabs?

Bianco Carrara marble slabs are generally available in the standard thicknesses of 2 cm and 3 cm. For special requirements and projects, the availability of other thicknesses can be checked upon request.

2. How much does Bianco Carrara marble cost per square metre?

The price of Bianco Carrara marble per square metre varies depending on the selection, the quality of the background and veining, the thickness and dimensions of the slabs, and the required finish. For an up-to-date price, please contact Alberti & Alberti specifying the required quantity, thickness and finish.

3. Is Bianco Carrara marble suitable for kitchens and bathrooms?

Yes. Bianco Carrara is widely used for bathroom countertops and cladding, walls, flooring, as well as kitchen countertops and islands. As it is a natural calcite-based marble, it is important to select the most appropriate finish and surface treatment according to the intended application.

4. How do you choose Bianco Carrara marble slabs?

The choice mainly depends on the background colour, the amount and pattern of the veining, the slab dimensions and the level of uniformity required for the project. For projects requiring visual continuity, it is advisable to select consecutive slabs from the same block