Learn Everything about Nero Marquina marble, Nero Marquina quartz and Nero Marquina porcelain slab in Ten Minutes.

As the trend of dark kitchens rises, architects, interior specialists and homeowners across the UK require practical Marquina Black worktops for their designs. With such high demand for black marble with white veins, we created this post to help you decide what Nero Marquina stone is best for your needs.

IN THIS REVIEW ARTICLE

1. What is Nero Marquina? Nero Marquina, quarry, applications, prices, care of Nero Marquina marble.
2. Comparing Nero Marquina Black marble, a Nero Marquina quartz kitchen, and Marquina porcelain tile as worktops.
3. Comparing Nero Marquina quartz, Neolith Nero Marquina, and Nero Marquina Dekton sintered stones.
4. Combining a worktop with black marble and white veins in a kitchen or bathroom.
5. Conclusion.

What Nero Marquina Has in Common With Carrara marble.

Despite their opposite looks, there are similarities between two essentially different marbles. So let’s answer a question people ask us often.

What is Nero Marquina?

Nero Marquina is a black stone with white veins, known as Marquina marble. Stone companies mine it in the Markina region of Spain’s Basque Country, China, and Iran. The black colour of this stone comes from naturally occurring bitumen. It is one of Spain’s most crucial marbles and one of the five most popular marbles globally.

Basque’s only active ornamental stone quarries are the three Black Markina marble and the Gray Duquesa marble deposits. Together, they process more than 500 blocks per year and account for 80% of the world and Nero Marquina marble UK market.

History

Similar to the famous White Carrara marble, there are hints that the Romans incorporated a “black stone” from Bizkaia’s northwestern region into their mosaics and ornaments. Buildings in the Markina area testify to the marble’s existence showing over a century of building activities. Quarries have been working in the region since the 1930s, coinciding with the first specialized machinery, mainly of Italian origin. Initially family-run businesses, most evolved into quarries with state-of-the-art machinery with increasing growth during the last two decades.

Sustainability

With careful mining planning and great respect for the environment, modern exploitations can meet different technical and environmental requirements of a developed socio-economic background. The block quarries in operation have sufficient reserves to supply the current market needs for the next 80 years.

Nero Marquina marble price

Contrary to popular belief, a Nero Marquina kitchen or bathroom is highly affordable. Prices can vary according to the marble’s tone or vein’s definition. Or according to the percentage of white, the intensity of black, and the finish of the marble.

Nero Marquina marble price is £100/m2 in 20 mm thickness and £148/m2 in 30 mm thickness. These are prices for a polished finish and include VAT. Furthermore, these prices exclude labour, which varies according to each project’s location and size.

But when thinking of a black kitchen or a white kitchen with black worktops, other materials look like Nero Marquina marble. You can have Nero Marquina marble worktops without necessarily having to install marble in your kitchen because two ever-innovative types of surfaces can look even like Nero Marquina honed marble. They are also highly heat resistant, allowing you to use them as Nero Marquina marble fireplace and look like Marquina Black granite. These are Marquina quartz and Nero Marquina porcelain slab.

Nero Marquina Burnout Is Real. Here’s How to Avoid It.

Suppose you are accustomed to using acidic foods whilst cooking or looking to use your worktops in a commercial endeavour. In that case, natural black marble may not be the best option because a marble kitchen worktop can etch its surface when it is in contact with acids. Since the acid removes the calcium part of the marble worktop, the exposed surface is not polished, and it will look lighter than the rest of the work surfaces. Comparing it to the rest of the worktops makes the etch mark look white, dull. And on many occasions, this can happen as a ring around a glass that spilt acidic liquids.

The solution to this issue is installing a worktop material without calcium carbonate, and the most common alternative is using granite. But since there aren’t many granites with the look of a Nero Marquina kitchen, we will continue our article with several suitable options from different manufacturers. These alternatives offer non-porous surfaces that won’t etch when exposed to acidic foods or juices. And the best part is that some of them look just like natural marble. Read on.

Should I use a Nero Marquina marble worktop, a Nero Marquina quartz kitchen, or Marquina porcelain worktops?

The answer to this question lies in the homeowner’s lifestyle. Therefore, you should consider the use and activities you carry in your kitchen the most before choosing the type of Marquina Nero worktop you will install.

Nero Marquina Quartz Kitchen

A Nero Marquina quartz slab gives you many advantages over marble. Its main con is that it cannot replicate the natural white vein of a Nero Marquina marble worktop with 100% accuracy because it is factory-made. But in 2022, some brands are getting very close to it! Regarding the advantages of quartz over marble, there are many. Here is a list of the key benefits of using the eternal Marquina quartz:

• Stain resistance: Because a Nero Marquina quartz kitchen contains a non-porous material, it is stain resistant. So don’t be worried if you spill lemon juice, vinegar, coffee, olive oil, make-up, vinegar, or any other liquid on your worktop. Even Nero Marquina honed quartz will not become discoloured. Furthermore, you can remove stains from reputable Marquina quartz brands easily.
• Acid resistance: because they don’t contain calcium (marble does), and because they are the third hardest minerals on the planet (i.e. quartz), the worktop has a high level of acid resistance.

• Impact resistance: The quartz cannot harm whether you throw a knife or drop a spoon on your worktop. Quartz is more impact resistant than some types of granite.

• Wide range of texture and colour options: The most significant advantage of using quartz is choosing various colours and textures options. But Nero Marquina quartz looks pretty good in any shape or form.

The Future of Nero Marquina in 2022

During 2021 we have been looking closely at all the developments, technological advances and innovative materials related to black kitchens and white bathrooms. Similarly, we partner with global suppliers and attend some of the leading design events across the UK and Europe to know first about the latest trends in the stone surface market. So here are our five favourites Marquina quartz black kitchen countertop materials for 2021 and 2022:

Silestone Eternal Marquina

A creation by Cosentino, offering close reminiscence to the famous Spanish Black Marquina marble, has an intense, black background. In addition, it provides convincing white details and highlights that rise to any occasion.

Eternal Marquina quartz black offers Silestone N-BOOST, special treatment at the molecular level of the surface. Thus, making its cleaning and maintenance more practical than ever. In addition, it elevates the Eternal Marquina quartz aesthetics with a more intense colour depth. In small kitchens, it increases their shine when light reflects on them.

Prices, Finishes and Sizes of Marquina Quartz Silestone

Finishes: You can choose Nero Marquina Silestone in polished and Suede Finishes. Whist et Marquina quartz polished offers an elegant surface; you can get the look of Nero Marquina honed with Eternal Marquina Suede. The Suede finish is a matt surface with a tactile texture that is maintenance-free compared to marble. So if you ask yourself, is Silestone quartz good? All you have to do is go to your local restaurant or coffee shop. Next, check its durability. Otherwise, you can download Silestone’s 25-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Prices: Silestone Eternal Marquina costs £219 m/2 in 12 mm thickness. It costs £286 m/2 in 20 mm thickness and £399 in 30 mm thickness. All of these are in a polished finish. An Eternal Marquina quartz black kitchen countertop in Suede finish costs £241 m/2 in 12 mm thickness. It costs £315 m/2 in 20 mm thickness and £439 m/2 in 30 mm thickness.

Sizes: Eternal Marquina quartz is available in a slab with 3250 x 1590 mm dimensions. It is an excellent sheet of material. You can install a worktop, island and splashback without any visible joints. But, if you are looking to use this black quartz as a tile, you can also get it in size. The tiles sizes are in 30 x 30 cm, 60 x 30 cm, 60 x 40 cm, 40 x 40 cm and 60 x 60 cm, with a thickness of 1.2 cm.

More Marquina quartz worktops for Homes

• Caesarstone Empira Black: Empira Black 5101 is a rich, dark black quartz base with subtle natural white veins. This charming and sophisticated design is inspired by nature’s features, bringing about a genuine feel of marble. In contrast, it offers a stunning polar opposite to Caesarstone Empira White quartz. The slabs measure 3040 x 1440 mm. In addition, you can choose them from 20 mm and 30 mm thicknesses. It’s available in polished finish, and if you wanted Caesarstone Empira Black honed, you’d have to plan for a 10-week lead time with production from Israel. Price: £284 m/2 in 20 mm thickness / £336 m2/ in 30 mm thickness.

Compac Unique Marquina: The marble known as Negro Marquina is one of Spain’s most well-known decorative rocks. As a result, several firms with different quarries can use the same brand as Negro Marquina, elevating this unique material. Quartz Compac Marquina shows a black background marble with twisting white veins, standing out from other materials. You can choose this Marquina black quartz from 20 mm and 30 mm thicknesses. The slab measures 3300 x 1630 mm, and it can fit the most oversized kitchen island you can imagine. Furthermore, it is sustainable, using 100 per cent renewable energy and rainwater, reused over 98 per cent of the time. Price: £290 m/2 in 20 mm thickness / £393 m2/ in 30 mm thickness.

CRL Quartz Staccato: warmth and character for bathrooms and modern kitchens

Staccato is the latest launch of CRL Quartz in 2021. With a unique marble-inspired design and works in stunning contrast to the deeper palette beneath, Staccato brings warmth and character to kitchens, drawing inspiration from the trend for dark tones in the home. You can contrast Staccato with light-coloured cabinets to lighten the mood or combine it with a similar dark hue for an elegant look.

CRL Stacatto quartz is available in a 3200 x 1600 mm slab. With this size, you can accommodate your standard 600 mm width worktops and a kitchen island of up to 1-metre width in a single sheet of this material, making it highly cost-effective. Thicknesses: CRL Quartz Stacatto in 20 mm thickness is the most popular format amongst UK’s homeowners because of its modern feel, but you can also get this product in 30 mm thickness to provide a more opulent look to the surface. Prices: £262 m/2 in 20mm thickness and £341 in 30 mm thickness.

Other Marquina Nero quartz options

If you are looking to save a little bit of

Nero Marquina quartz, Neolith or Dekton sintered stone. Which one should I use?

It’s a common practice to avoid spending over 10% to 15% of your property’s value on a single room. By spending more than this, the renovation’s worth will not increase proportionally to the value of your property. So, if you want to keep your costs sensible, you may prefer to install Marquina Black worktops from an alternative brand. The main trick here is to work with an experienced worktop supplier to know the fine details of the smaller brands. Here are some alternative Marquina quartz slabs to use as worktops or kitchen splashbacks:

• Quartzforms Planet Pluto: Quartzforms is a German company that designs its products in Italy. Marrying the best of the design and manufacturing worlds, they produce high-quality work surfaces that are practical and super-easy to clean. Planet Pluto quartz Pluto has a lot of character. It’s charmingly ornamental and has a subtle texture of strong veining that makes the surface feel deep, dense, and tactile. Similarly, it gives elegance to any space when used for facing and flooring and kitchen and bathroom worktops. Pluto from the Quartzforms Planet Collection is available in thicknesses of 20 mm and 30 mm as standard, but if you prefer a super slick surface, you can choose a 12 mm worktop as a special order. Finishes: Pluto comes with an elegant polished and brushed finish, suiting traditional styles and period properties. Size: Quartzforms 2030 Planet Pluto size is 3200 x 1640 mm. Prices: £213 m/2 in 20mm thickness, and £343 in 30 mm thickness. Planet Pluto Brushed finish carries an additional 10% cost, and it has a 3-week lead time from order. Quartzforms offers Free delivery on orders of two slabs or more.

Nero Marquina quartz vs Neolith Nero Marquina vs Dekton: which is best?

By now, you may be a little confused with so many products available in the market. If you want to know whether quartz, porcelain or natural marble worktop will be the best choice for your specific needs, you need to consider four crucial elements:

Performance: The response of a product to external factors in its working environment is known as ‘product performance’.

In the world of worktops, good product performance means that your surfaces will be able to withstand the various stresses stemming from cooking, chopping, using high and cold temperatures, the ability to avoid absorption from foods, and more.

When comparing the performance of these three products, the clear winners are Dekton and Neolith, with a very close call from quartz worktops, due to the following reasons:

a) Maintenance: Marble requires sealants every couple of years. Quartz, Dekton, and Neolith don’t require sealants.

b) Cleaning: You can use a cleaning spray for maintaining Dekton, quartz and Neolith. However, you must only use soapy water or a Ph neutral cleaner with marble. The below video shows you how effortless it is to clean a quartz worktop:

c) Heat: Quartz can withstand up to 150 C of heat, making it perfectly suitable for the kitchen. Nero Marquina marble can withstand up to 250 C of heat before risking thermal shock. In comparison, Dekton and Neolith can take up to 300 C of heat, giving you additional heat tolerance to drag pans and pots from the oven onto the porcelain worktop. The video below shows you the precautions you can take when handling heat on your worktops:

d) Versatility: You can only use quartz in interiors because its resins get ‘tanned’ if you expose the surfaces to the sun for long periods. But Dekton, Neolith Nero Marquina, and natural Black Marquina marble are unaffected by UV rays because they don’t contain quartz polymer resins.

d) Resistance to impact: Whilst all four Marquina worktop materials are highly resistant to cracks and breakages, the ultra-compact nature of Dekton and Neolith worktops makes them more susceptible to chipping, especially around their edges. It is on this feature that natural marble still beats porcelain worktops. But if you want even more resistance to accidental impact, quartz is the way to go. Whilst marble rates strength three on MOh’s scale of minerals, quartz rates seven.

If you want to know more about the impact resistance of porcelain worktops, you can watch this short video about Neolith’s impact resistance:

How to combine a worktop with black marble and white veins in a kitchen or bathroom

Your worktop will define your kitchen’s appearance. Depending on the design or stone combination you choose, using the room will change. So the first things you should consider are the proportions of your kitchen, the colours you’ll employ in each zone, and, of course, your favourite interior design style.

• Worktops made of Nero Marquina marble will give your kitchen a neat appearance. It is especially so if you pair them with wooden cabinets and wood floors:

• A Nero Marquina surface will give an attractive oppositional contrast to the rest of the pieces in the kitchen if you’re looking for a minimalist ‘ultimate white’ interior design, with walls, floors, and white kitchen cabinets, all following the same aesthetic line:

• Black Kitchens: Almost every colour works well with black. Even its opposite, white, is a good match for a black kitchen because the monochromatic effect is powerful but timeless; dramatic but not ‘in your face. Many trendy 2022 kitchens also combine black with black due to the elegance it exudes:

• Black stone worktops in Green Kitchens: Marquina Black worktops are ideal for minimalist and modern kitchens. Nevertheless, they are present in homes of classic, warm, current, streamlined kitchens. Marquina Black worktops will lend a luxurious atmosphere to any kitchen, whether farmhouse, country, traditional, minimalist, small, spacious, or contemporary. You won’t be obliged to choose a specific colour palette, either. It is effortless to create contrasts and pick various colours when installing black worktops for your kitchen. They offer an easy and logical contrast inside a magnificent modern atmosphere, whether matched with blue kitchen cabinets, green cabinetry, and more:

Conclusion

Nero Marquina is a fantastic aesthetic choice for home and office interiors, whether natural marble, porcelain, ceramic, or quartz, as it offers elegance to its surroundings.

It is a sustainable product, both as natural marble with a minimum of 80 years of production capacity and as a manufactured stone with controlled production and abundant raw materials.

Nero Marquina prices in the UK start with the most economical Nero Marquina marble, followed by Nero Marquina quartz. The most expensive types of Nero Marquina are sintered stones such as Neolith Nero Marquina and Dekton.

If you want to display the natural beauty of Nero Marquina, choose marble. If your priority is on its performance, choose Dekton, Ceralsio, or Neolith. And if you want to have a middle-ground product that offers both pleasing aesthetics and uncompromised performance, choose quartz.

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