Searching for Black Marble

[Donna Kobyluk]

Would appreciate any leads to locating for ideal laser 12x12 black marble tiles. Any suggestions & phone numbers. Also best Absolute Black found ? Northern CA? I've already found out cheapest is not the best
Thanks , a new laser adventurer

[Luke Phillips]

You might try Artistic Laser (www.artistic-laser.com) in Redlands, CA. Office: (909) 307-9533. I don't know if they're still in business but I was very pleased with the quality of the stone they had.

[Larry Matthews]

Found some at Lowes, we engraved a checker board in it and it came out very well. Black absolute $5.99

[Bill Cunningham]

Found some at Lowes, we engraved a checker board in it and it came out very well. Black absolute $5.99

Are you sure that wasn't Granite? I've seen brown marble at the big boxes, but no abs. black 'marble'

[lucas kreft]

I get it for 9/sq ft. But that is in Canada...

[Todd Schwartz]

Donna,

Home Depot has them at times. 12x12 Absolute black marble. You will need to pick through the pile to get the best ones. I think they were $7 each.

Todd

[Jack Harper]

I think Bill is right. Home Depot only carries black granite and not black marble. A big difference.

[Todd Schwartz]

Now you are going to make me go and check - Hummm.... I was sure it was marble, remember digging through the pile to find ones without much grain (does granite have white grains like marble?), but heck, I have been wrong before and chances are really good I will be wrong again. Stay tuned for an update.

Todd

[Bill Cunningham]

Hmmm If it's got veins running through it, it's probably marble.. When I buy the brown stuff, I sort through as many boxes as I can before the 'can I help you' guy shows up I also usually bring a printout on vellum with me to set over the marble.. Nothing worse than having a streak of marble grain cross the face in the etching in the form of a 'hitler' moustach But, I have never seen Black Marble at either H.D. Lowes, or Rona.. If you can when you look get the SKU#

[Kevin Warren]

Absolute black marble and granite is available in Canada at richwoodline.com

[Bill Parker]

When I buy the brown stuff, I sort through as many boxes as I can before the 'can I help you' guy shows up

I normally just tell them "No, I think I got it" and they say ok and walk away. In these big stores the employees don't really mind, its just there job to see if you need any help or not.

[Todd Schwartz]

Finally got off the road and back to the shop. It is indeed Absolute Black Marble from Home Depot, tag on the back had the following part number: BLACWH1212. I also got some Absolute Black granite at the same time, different SKU and different look.

I have only seen it there twice in the last couple of years. Have not looked lately.

Good luck.

Todd

[Lamont Ellingson]

I found my best source to be a small floor tile store. I went to several larger tile stores and they only want to sell what they stock. The smaller stores will do some looking around in order to get your business.

The tile I get is called Brilliant Black and is excellent for lasered photos. Price is $5.65 sq.ft. and also comes in 16x16.

Location is Tempe, Arizona

[Belinda Barfield]

All,

Just a word of caution about buying black marble from stores like HD or Lowes. Many times black marble, particularly if imported from China, is dyed to give it that very black color. Use caution when cleaning as certain cleaners may cause fading. I am part owner in a granite and marble fab facility. When cutting black marble slabs with our bridge saw I have seen dye in the water run off from the saw.

Natural, pure black marble is difficult to obtain. If you have a stone supplier near you ask about "China Black No Vein". Often China Black is graded as #1, #2, or #3. The lower the number, the less veining. This material isn't cheap.

"Absolute Black" granite is actually not granite, but basalt. To tell the difference between marble and granite look at the edge of the tile, or the back. Granite has a crystalline structure whereas most marble does not (one exception being "White Thassos"). Another word of caution, advise your customer not to clean marble with anything containing vinegar, or any citric acid. Vinegar, fruit juices, and tomato juice will etch the surface of the stone, as will aggressive products such as Tilex.

[AL Ursich]

Belinda,

Excellent information!!!!

Thanks,

AL