From Quarry to Your Home: The Journey of a Marble Table
From historical sculptures to modern tables, marble has been a popular material for centuries. It symbolises refined taste, luxury and timeless beauty. But have you ever wondered how a piece of marble transforms from a raw block in a quarry to an exquisite table in your living space? Let us take you through the intricate process of transforming raw marble into polished tables.
1. The Origin: Marble Quarries
The journey of marble begins in quarries, which are found in mountainous regions across the world, with some of the most renowned located in Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Brazil. The process starts with the extraction of large blocks of marble from these quarries, a task that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Modern technologies have streamlined this process, but the essence of quarrying remains a combination of precision and strength.
Extraction
Marble extraction involves cutting large blocks of stone from the earth using wire saws, diamond chainsaws, and other specialised equipment. The size and quality of the block depend on the geological formations and the quarrying techniques used. This initial phase is crucial, as it determines the potential uses of the marble and its value.
Transportation
Once the marble blocks are extracted, they need to be transported to processing facilities. This can be a logistical challenge due to the sheer weight and size of the blocks. Specialised trucks and ships are used to move these massive stones, ensuring they reach their destination without damage.
2. The Transformation: From Block to Slab
Upon arrival at the processing facility, the marble blocks undergo several stages of refinement. This phase transforms the raw stone into workable slabs that will eventually become your marble table.
Cutting
The first step in processing is cutting the marble blocks into slabs. Special cutting machines such as gangsaw or block cutter are used to ensure uniformity and minimise wastage from each block. The thickness of the slabs can vary based on their intended use, ranging from thin tiles to thick countertops.
Quality Control
Quality control is a critical step, where each slab is inspected for imperfections. Natural stones like marble can have fissures, colour variations, and other irregularities. These features are what make each piece unique, but they must be evaluated to ensure they meet the required standards for structural integrity and aesthetic appeal. Here at Marbelous, we only select and import high quality marble slabs with a wide range of colour variations and minimal fissures to ensure the longevity of your marble dining table.
Reinforcing and Transportation
Next, the slabs are reinforced with a special mesh that increases the mechanical resistance of the slab during the processing, transport and installation phases. The slabs are then carefully shipped to Malaysia, where they will be brought to our warehouse for further processing.
3. The Craftsmanship: Shaping the Table
Once the marble slabs have been imported to and arrive at our warehouse, the next phase involves transforming these slabs into elegant marble tables. This step requires trained artisans who can work the stone with precision and care to ensure no damage is done to the marble slabs.
Design and Cutting
Customers who visit Marblelous are welcome to choose their preferred slab that is readily available in our warehouse, followed by choosing the shape and part of the marble slab they would like to highlight or feature in their dining table using our in-house template. We are also open to discussing the possibility of custom shapes for those who want something truly different. Once this has been decided, our team of artisans will begin the process of shaping the table by cutting the marble slab using high precision machines.
Customisation
Aside from choosing a shape, customers may further customise their table by choosing the type of edge they would like for the table top, and pairing it with a table base of their choice. We offer a wide range of designs, colours, and polishing techniques for our table bases to help bring your vision of a perfect marble table to life. You may view our range of table bases here, or learn more about our customisation options here.
Finishing and Assembling
Once the marble slab has been customised based on your preferences, it will be coated with our COPALCLEAR coating to ensure that your marble tabletop is protected from stains permanently. The final finishing touches are applied, which can include additional polishing, sealing, and buffing to ensure a flawless appearance. Finally, the table top will be attached to the table base of your choice.
4. The Destination: Your Home
After the marble table is crafted and perfected, it is carefully packaged and transported to its final destination: your home. The journey from quarry to table concludes as the marble table becomes a centrepiece of your living space, a testament to nature's beauty and human ingenuity.
The journey of a marble table from quarry to table is a remarkable process that showcases the interplay between natural beauty and human craftsmanship. Each step, from the extraction of raw blocks to the final touches of design, contributes to creating a piece of furniture that is both functional and an artistic statement. The next time you admire a marble table from Marblelous, remember the incredible journey it has taken to become a part of your home. Visit our showroom to begin customising your marble dining table today.