Are white spots on Skyfall marble a sign of inferior stone?
Estimated Reading Time: 2 MinutesQ. I am about to purchase a beautiful slab of marble for my pool house. It is called Skyfall marble. It has blue, green hues with grey. The slab is covered with smooth white spots. The distributer said they are natural, but I can't find ANYTHING pertaining to in the web. Does this denote inferior stone?
A. It is normal to want reassurance when spending a lot of money. White spots in a marble slab do not automatically mean the stone is inferior. Many types of natural marble naturally have mineral inclusions that appear as lighter spots.
White spots can also be stun marks, which are tiny internal pressure points that show up naturally in some marbles and do not necessarily indicate structural weakness.
Another cause of white spots is mild etching from acidic substances. It is not likely that your stone has etch damage, since the white spots are smooth.
The bigger concern is that, unfortunately, the name "Skyfall" is used by different suppliers to describe very different stones. Some suppliers call Skyfall a white or grey marble, others call it granite, dolomite, or even engineered stone. Because the name is being used inconsistently in the industry, it is possible that what you are being shown is not the same material that others call Skyfall. This inconsistency does not necessarily mean the stone is bad, but it does mean you should confirm exactly what you are buying.
To protect yourself before purchasing, ask the distributor for precise information about:
- the stone’s type and origin, such as whether it is marble, quartzite, or something else
- where the stone was quarried
- technical information, especially regarding porosity and water absorption
It is also reasonable to examine the slab closely or request a sample so you can see whether the white spots are natural inclusions or surface residue. If you still feel unsure, a stone expert can evaluate it for you. To find a vetted PRO in your area, visit www.surfacecarepros.com and click on Find a PRO.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Fred Hueston is the Chief Technical Director at SurfaceCarePROS.com and Director at StoneForensics.com. He is also the author of Stone and Tile Restoration: The Manual, a comprehensive online manual for stone and tile restoration contractors. [Learn more about Fred.]