What Is The Difference Between Onyx And Marble

These happen to be two of the most popular finishes for bathroom vanity tops.

What is the difference between onyx and marble.

Lift the item assuming it is a freestanding item to see how heavy it is. Although the products are very similar in construction and equally durable there are distinct differences in appearance. I ll only speak about the stones from the perspective of a counter top fabricator. This same material also goes by the names onyx marble mexican onyx or egyptian alabaster.

Generally onyx is considered a more exotic material than most marble. Onyx is a type of very fragile marble a metamorphic stone. The main problem with identifying marble arises from its similarity in some respects to granite onyx alabaster and even porcelain but with a few tips should help you to tell the difference. Onyx is made of calcite which is the same mineral that makes up limestone marble and travertine.

Marble is extremely dense and heavier then onyx and also harder. Which costs more marble or travertine. I ve seen on man. The products to which you refer are called cultured marble and cultured onyx.

A popular feature of some of the onyx used for counters is it s translucency. Onyx is commercially classified as a sibling to marble because these two stones have the same mineral content. Between marble and onyx marble can be identified by dropping a few drops of weak hydrochloric acid on to it the acid will fizz on the marble as the calcium carbonate reacts with the acid to produce hydrogen gas if you dont happen to have any weak hydrochloric acid lying about use a drop or 2 of kitchen descaler it is weak hydrochloric. The easiest way to tell the difference between onyx and marble is to pick it up.

Understanding the difference between carrara calacutta and statuario marble. One last consideration is cost. Either stone can cost anywhere between 2 to 50 or more per square foot. Natural travertine generally costs more than cultured marble but natural marble will have the higher price tag.

Like other marbles onyx is available in tiles and slabs for countertops and can be used in shower surrounds or on vanity tops. That being said costs vary widely according to the stone s quality.