Turkey has everything you'll ever need in natural stone. Part 1: marble

Did you know that Turkey is one of the oldest countries in terms of natural stone production? Its history as a producer goes back four thousand years, starting from the Marmara Island. The Temple of Artemis, one of the most important structures of the ancient Greek and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, was located in the ancient city of Ephesus. Artemis, the first temple in the world constructed completely with marble and the columns were Marmara Island, is thought to be built in 550 BC by the king Croesus of Lydia.

Even today the Marmara and Aegean regions are at the forefront in terms of production volume. However, almost all regions of Turkey do have natural stone mines and this abundance means that there are over four hundred different colors, patterns and textures of natural stone found in Turkey. There are over one thousand big and small mines all over the country. 

Marble and travertine are the most important types of stone being mined, but there are also onyx, granite, limestone, basalt, andesite, slate stone and diabase on offer to the world market. Overall, Turkey is one of the most important producers of natural stone worldwide and it has a lot of advantage when compared to its competitors. From the European point of view, one of the main points is that Turkey is right at its doorstep, making transportation quick, affordable and with a moderate carbon footprint. 

The advantages do not stop there. Turkey’s natural stone industry is also modern and well developed, with a dynamic sector structure and new technologies being utilized. It has an impressive variety of materials and huge reserves. Generally speaking, the natural stone types mined in Turkey can be described as high and uniform quality that is free of cracks and other defects, has a lot of color options, sufficient to yield big blocks. When it comes to patterns, there is a lot to choose from and the colors and crystal compositions can be arranged for decorative purposes. 

Let’s go over the different stone types found in Turkey, starting with the obvious guiding star of the industry; marble. Turkey is in fact number one in the world when it comes to marble export. Here we have grouped the marble types according to color; other methods of grouping them could also be used. Arguably the most classical of them all are white marbles, made memorable by famous historical buildings and sculptures, going back thousands of years. White marbles are still preferred by sculptors and architects, who want to create timeless class.

Carrara marbles are the most extracted marble types in the market, which also makes them the most cost-efficient in residential projects. The Turkish Carrara is not to be confused with Italian Carrara. Turkish Carrara has a more crystallized appearance than the Italian variety but it offers the same refinement and consistency. Turkish Carrara is considered as a very good alternative not only to Italian Carrara but to other white varieties from Greece and Spain as well. Carrara has white and grey background, with subtle grey veining. This material is popular in bathrooms, to give a clean and fresh look. Calcatta marbles have similarities with Carrara, but also differences. Calcatta has white color with black veins in large patterns. Since it is rare, it is considered a luxury stone. 

There are many varieties of beige marbles, with tones or cream and ivory that give a peaceful look to any residential or commercial space. Classic beige, Diana beige, Lykia beige, Novano beige and Roman beige are popular beige marble types. The slightly darker Light Emperador can be used on high traffic floors, giving an elegant look. It typically has thin grains and non-uniform veins.

Grey marbles have a variety of overtones in different colors, ranging from pearl tones to silver and graphite grey. Grey tones are ideal for creating tranquility and neutral calmness into different types of interiors. Bardiglio grey and Tundra grey can be mentioned as examples of good choices in the grey palette.

Black marbles are the epitome of luxury and most suitable for large areas that are brightly lit, to bring out the subtle color variations in the stone material. The background color in this group is black but it can vary in terms of its overtones, as well as the color of the veining. To name a few, Black Emperador, Toros black and Karacabey black marble are interesting varieties to look into. 

Brown marbles are the real all-round material, to be used in different spaces throughout the house. They are especially suitable for areas of high usage, such as entrances and kitchens. To name just a few, Olive Avantgarde is an intense olive brown variety, while Maroon di Notte combines shades of brown and grey and Emperador Medium has a lovely warm shade. 

Green marbles are a wonderful option for elegant, eclectic, even a bit eccentric interiors, depending on which type you will go for. However all green marbles bring a sense of nature into the interior of the house that can be beautifully combined with wood, for example. The use of green marbles requires a practiced eye for interior design but the results can be totally stunning, not to mention that this is currently a very trendy color choice. Some interesting varieties to check are Calcatta green, which is a light white-green variety or Teos green, which is a dark emerald shade.

Red marbles are a must for interiors that need warmth and energy. Depending on the intensity of color and pattern, red marble can create a very bold statement or a subtly inviting mood. Rosa Fantastic is one of the loveliest, powder pink varieties that is very usable for many surfaces. Cherry Levanto has amazing deep cherry red color, surrounded by grey and white veining. Rosso Anatolia has an even, dark burgundy red shade that creates a perfect backdrop for a luxurious decor.