Frequently asked questions

Marble

1. Marble or granite for a kitchen?
Granite, if you cook daily. It handles heat, oil and scratches far better. Marble looks stunning but stains and etches from lemon, tomato and haldi, so choose it only if you accept some wear and seal it regularly.

2. How can I tell real marble from fake?
Real marble has natural veining that runs through the stone and never repeats exactly. Printed tiles repeat the same pattern, and engineered marble looks too uniform. Check the cut edge and ask for the stone's name and origin.

3. Which marble is best for a pooja room or temple?
White marble such as Makrana is the traditional choice. It looks pure, stays cool underfoot and carves well.

4. Does marble stain and scratch easily?
More than granite, yes. Oil, tea and haldi can seep in if it isn't sealed, and acids like lemon leave dull etch marks. Sealing, quick wipe-ups and a honed finish help, and a professional can polish out light scratches.

5. Why is my white marble turning yellow?
Usually trapped moisture, iron in the stone reacting, or the wrong adhesive underneath. Stain-free adhesive or white cement, proper sealing and good-quality marble prevent most of it.

6. Is marble slippery as flooring?
Polished marble is slippery when wet. A honed or anti-skid finish fixes most of that, especially in bathrooms, balconies and entrances.

7. What is Makrana marble?
A white marble from Makrana in Rajasthan, known for its purity, density and durability. The Taj Mahal is built from it. It's used for floors, temples and statues. Available in A+, A and standard grades.

8. How do I clean a marble floor daily?
Dry-dust first, then mop with plain water or a pH-neutral stone cleaner. Avoid vinegar, lemon, phenyl and acid cleaners, which dull the polish. Wipe spills right away.

Granite

9. Granite or quartz: which is better?
Quartz for zero sealing and a uniform look. Granite for natural variation, better heat tolerance and outdoor use. Both are durable, so choose by look and upkeep.

10. Can I put hot pans on granite?
Briefly, usually yes, since granite forms under extreme heat. A trivet is still safer because sudden temperature shocks can crack a slab and heat can wear the sealer.

11. What is the best granite colour for a kitchen?
Black and dark speckled granites hide stains best but show dust and water spots. Mid-tone speckled granites are the easiest to live with.

12. What is the best stone for outdoor floors and steps?
Granite with a flamed, brushed or leathered finish is the top choice, and sandstone is a good second. Avoid polished marble, onyx and quartz outdoors, and use an anti-slip finish on steps.

13. How often should I seal marble or granite?
Marble every 6-12 months, granite about once a year. To test, put a few drops of water on the stone. If it darkens within 10-15 minutes, it's time to reseal.

14. Is granite radioactive?
All natural stone has tiny traces of radioactivity, and typical granite countertops aren't considered a health risk. Test reports available on request.

Quartz

15. Is quartz worth the extra cost?
Yes, if you want no sealing, strong stain resistance and a consistent look for a busy kitchen. It's less worthwhile if you want natural variation, high heat tolerance or outdoor use.

16. Can quartz handle heavy cooking, oil and turmeric?
Yes. It's non-porous, so oil and haldi don't soak in and it wipes clean. Wipe spills soon and keep very hot pans off it.

17. Can I put hot pans on quartz?
No. Heat above roughly 150°C can scorch or discolour the resin, so always use a trivet.

18. What is the difference between quartz and quartzite?
Quartz is engineered from crushed quartz and resin. Quartzite is a natural stone that is harder, heat-resistant and fine outdoors, but it needs sealing and costs more. The names are often confused, so ask for the stone's geological name.

19. Is quartz more expensive than granite?
Often a bit more, but it depends on the brand and pattern. Basic quartz can cost the same as mid-range granite.

Ceramic & Porcelain Tiles

20. Ceramic or porcelain tiles?
Porcelain for floors, wet areas and outdoors, since it's denser and absorbs very little water. Ceramic is cheaper and fine for walls and light-traffic areas.

21. Marble or marble-look porcelain?
Marble for real veining and a premium feel. Porcelain for lower cost, stain resistance and easy care. Printed patterns can repeat, while real marble never does.

22. What are the best tiles for a bathroom floor?
Anti-skid porcelain or vitrified tiles with a matte or textured finish. Look for a slip rating such as R10 or higher, and avoid glossy tiles on wet floors.

23. Why do tiles from different boxes vary in shade?
They're likely from different production batches. Buy all your tiles together, check the batch and shade codes on the cartons, and keep 1-2 spare boxes from the same batch.

24. What does "calibrated" mean?
Calibrated tiles are sized to the same dimensions and thickness, so they install flat with even joints. Uncalibrated ones vary slightly and need more adjustment during fitting.

25. What is a double charge vitrified tile?
A vitrified tile pressed with two layers of pigment, a base and a thicker top layer. This gives richer patterns and good wear resistance for heavy-use floors.

Sandstone

26. Is sandstone good for outdoor flooring?
Yes. Its natural texture gives good grip, and it handles sun and rain well. Seal it to limit moss, stains and water absorption.

27. Sandstone or granite outdoors?
Granite is denser and tougher under heavy traffic. Sandstone has warm tones, good grip and often a lower price, but it needs sealing and can weather or grow moss in damp, shaded spots.

28. Can sandstone be used for a kitchen counter?
Not really. It's porous and stains easily from oil and haldi. It's better for outdoor floors, wall cladding and garden paths.

29. What are the popular sandstone varieties?
Kandla Grey, Dholpur Beige, Agra Red, Jodhpur Pink, Jaisalmer Yellow, Raj Green, Mint and Teakwood.

30. What does "riven" sandstone mean?
Riven means the stone is split naturally along its layers, giving a textured, slightly uneven surface with good grip. Sawn sandstone is machine-cut and smoother.

Onyx

31. Why is onyx so expensive?
It's rare to quarry, hard to cut, and fragile enough that slabs are usually reinforced with fibreglass. Scarcity, labour and dramatic looks make it a luxury stone.

32. Can onyx be backlit?
Yes, that's its signature feature. With LED lighting behind it, the stone glows and shows its veining. It's popular for feature walls, bar counters and reception desks.

33. Can onyx go in a kitchen or bathroom?
Not on working kitchen counters or in wet showers, because it's soft, porous and sensitive to water and acids. It suits dry feature walls, vanity tops and bar fronts with careful use.

Marble Handicrafts

34. Can I order a custom marble statue or temple?
Yes. Share the design, size and stone, and we'll quote with a sketch or sample before production starts.

35. How much does a marble temple cost?
It depends on size, design and carving detail. A simple machine-cut temple costs far less than a fully hand-carved one. ₹30 to ₹9,00+ per sq ft.

36. How do I know the statue is real marble?
Ask for the stone name, origin and photos of the exact piece. Real marble feels cool and heavy, with veining that runs through the stone. Resin pieces feel lighter and warmer.

37. Is a marble temple shipped assembled?
Small ones usually ship whole. Large temples ship as numbered parts and are assembled on site.

38. Do you supply handicrafts in bulk for resale?
Yes, for stores, hotels, gift buyers and online sellers. Ask for the catalogue, minimum order and bulk rates.

39. What marble items make good gifts?
Coasters, trays, small statues, decorative bowls, lamps, inlay boxes and chess sets.

India Buying Guide

40. How much does marble cost per square foot?
It depends on the type, grade, thickness and finish. Common Indian white and beige marbles are affordable, while imported Italian marbles cost several times more. ₹35 to ₹1,300+ per sq ft

41. Is granite cheaper than marble?
Usually, especially common colours. Rare granites can cost as much as mid-range marble.

42. How much will a kitchen countertop cost?
Add up the stone, cutting sink and hob cut-outs, edges, polishing and installation. Send your measurements and we'll give you a total.

43. Is stone priced per slab or per square foot?
Mostly per sq ft or sq m. Ask whether the rate covers the full slab or only the usable area after the edges are trimmed, and what's included.

44. Which flooring is best for Indian homes?
Marble for a premium look, granite and Kota stone for strong budget options, and vitrified tiles for low maintenance. Marble and Kota stone also stay cool in summer.

45. How much extra stone should I order?
About 10-15% extra for cutting waste and breakage, and more for diagonal layouts or pattern matching.

46. Slabs or tiles?
Slabs for countertops and islands, because they have fewer joints. Tiles for floors and walls, because they're cheaper and easier to install and replace.

47. How do I check slab quality before buying?
View the actual slab in good light and check for cracks, chips, colour patches, uneven thickness and polish. A clear ring when tapped is a good sign. If you can't visit, ask for photos or video of the numbered slabs.

48. Will I receive stone that matches the sample?
A sample shows the general look, not the exact slab. Approve the actual slab or bundle, and order everything from one lot.

49. What details do you need for a quote?
The stone name and colour, area, thickness, finish and delivery location. Photos or a drawing help for custom work.

Export / Import Guide

50. Why buy marble from India?
Good quality at lower prices than most European marble, with wide variety in marble, granite, sandstone, onyx, tiles and handicrafts. You can usually source it all from one exporter.

51. How do I find a reliable marble exporter?
Look for real photos and videos of actual stock, a registered company with an Import Export Code, references from overseas buyers and clear, quick answers. Order a sample first, and for large orders use a third-party pre-shipment inspection.

52. How do I import marble from India, step by step?
Choose the stone and get a quote, approve samples or slab photos, confirm payment and shipping terms, then production and loading. After shipping, you receive the documents and clear customs at your port with your broker.

53. Can I order less than a full container?
Often yes, as part loads or pallets, but the cost per sq m is higher. A full container usually gives the best price.

54. How many sq m fit in a 20 ft container?
Roughly 400-450 sq m of 18-20 mm slabs, limited by weight about 25-27 tonnes. Tiles vary by size.

55. What do FOB, CIF and EXW mean?
EXW means you collect from the factory. FOB means we cover costs until the goods are loaded on the ship at the Indian port. CIF means we also pay sea freight and insurance to your port.

56. How do I pay safely when buying overseas?
A letter of credit is safest for big orders. Many exporters also accept bank transfer with an advance and the balance against shipping documents.

57. How long does shipping from India take?
Roughly 1-2 weeks to the Gulf, 3-5 weeks to Australia, 4-6 weeks to the UK and Europe, and 5-8 weeks to the USA. Actual times depend on the route, port and season.

58. What documents come with an export shipment?
A commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin. Wooden crates carry ISPM-15 treatment marking.

59. Do I have to pay import duty?
Most countries charge duty or tax on stone. Rates vary by country and product and change often, so check the current rate with your customs broker before you order.

60. Can you send samples to my country?
Yes, usually by courier such as DHL or FedEx, in about a week.

FieldExampleStone typeMarbleColorWhiteThickness16-24mm+FinishPolished, honedFormatsSlab, tile, blockMOQ2,000 sq ftPackingWooden cratePriceOn request