With its elegant temperament and natural beauty, marble has become an indispensable material in interior decoration and artistic creation. Marble products on the market differ in quality, though, and some of them are even substandard and counterfeit. As a consumer, when purchasing a marble slab, in addition to appreciating the gorgeousness of its surface, you also need to have an in-depth understanding of how to identify its authenticity and quality to ensure that you can purchase truly high-quality natural marble.
Real natural Blue onyx marble stone slab and tile for wall and floor contruction decoration from China
Observe the uniqueness of the texture
The texture of natural marble is one of its most striking features. Every piece of marble has a different creation of nature and never replicated texture. When identifying, you should carefully observe whether the marble texture is natural and smooth, and whether the texture of each slab is different. Should the texture seem consistent or repetitious, this could be substandard or artificial marble.
Listen to the crispness of the sound
Tap the marble slab to listen for sound. A result of its compact and homogeneous internal structure, high-quality natural marble will emit a clear and pleasant sound. Conversely, if the sound seems dull or scratchy, the marble can have flaws or other damage.
Check light transmittance
Under a light source, view the marble slab’s light transmittance. Whereas fake marble may be totally opaque or have reduced light permeability, natural marble often has some degree of light transmittance. Not only is good light transmittance marble gorgeous, but it also indicates high quality and thick construction.
Dropping reagents to test chemical reactions
Experiment for chemical reactions with vinegar or diluted hydrochloric acid. Spoon a tiny bit of reagent on the marble surface. Chemical reactions in natural marble will cause bubbles; fake marble will have either few or none. This test can spot marble’s authenticity fast.
Splash ink test for absorbency
Dip a tiny bit of ink into the marble surface with a brush or cotton swab. See how the marble’s ink behaves. Should the ink absorb or spread rapidly, it could be a sign of a loose and of poor quality internal structure of the marble; should the ink not move in situ, the marble has a tight structure and is of better quality.
Check appearance quality
The appearance quality of marble slabs is an important criterion for evaluating their quality. Excellent marble slabs should have a clean, flat surface free of noticeable color variation, flaws and contaminants. Furthermore tidy and smooth, without burrs, fractures, etc., should be the edge sealing.
See markings and warranty
Clear marks and quality assurances will abound in regular brand marble products. Usually, marks cover product name, classification, specifications, sizes, grades, standards, other details. The quality warranty offers comprehensive information including batch number, manufacture date, quality grade, etc.
Reasonability of price and value
High-quality marble costs more, so the price is rather greater. Should you come onto an abnormally low price, you should be alert. This could be a phoney or a low-quality good. Usually, reasonable pricing line up with great quality.
Bule Onyx marble slabs house contruction decoration
When purchasing a marble slab, discerning its authenticity and quality is an important skill. You can choose a really high-quality natural marble with more confidence by seeing the grain, listening to the sound, verifying the light transmittance, running chemical reaction tests, ink splash tests, checking the appearance quality, looking at the marks and quality guarantees, and assessing the reasonableness of the price. Select reliable vendors and official channels to guarantee a safe and pleasant buying experience. Remember, good quality marble can not only improve the appearance of a room but also give your house elegance and a sense of nature.