30 October 2026 · 2 minutes
Marble: a buyer's guide
The stone, the inlays, why no two pieces match, and how to keep marble unmarked.
What it is
White Makrana marble from Rajasthan, carved, pierced or inlaid by hand in Jaipur workshops. The inlays are mother of pearl or brass, and some coasters pair the marble with wood.
What to expect
Marble is cut from a quarried block, so the veining, the flecks and the shade of white differ from piece to piece and from the photograph. None of this is a fault.
Care
Wipe with a damp cloth. Marble marks with lemon, wine and oil, so wipe spills quickly. Candle wax lifts off once it has set. Trays are heavy, so lift them with both hands. Keep the wood of the marble and wood coasters out of standing water.