Marble veining is a big reason why people love marble so much. If you think about it, these veins are part of what makes marble so unique. They’re striking and provide just the right amount of visual interest for the kitchen.
What is Veining?
Veining is the long, curvy, and sometimes zigzagging lines that run across and through marble and other natural stone pieces in your kitchen countertop. They are actually made of minerals that have crystallized inside of a rock after being placed there by water that evaporated. The minerals left behind can have all sorts of patterns, from thin and winding to wide and stately.
Stone countertop veining can fall into one of two categories:
- Open-space filling: Mineral deposits distribute themselves throughout a stone and fill any and all open spaces.
- Crack-seal growth: When minerals are deposited within large, open spaces and then come to rest once water and other liquids have evaporated.
The Cut of the Stone
The way your kitchen countertop veining looks in its final form depends on how the stone slab is cut. There are two styles: vein-cut stones that cut against the veins and make elongated lines that travel across the stone lengthwise—or cross-cut stones that cut right within the vein, giving them a swirly instead of lengthy appearance.
Vein Colorations
Since veins are created by mineral deposits, and mineral deposits are known for their color diversity, there are so many vein shades that are possible. Think of colors like red, green, purple, gray, black, and gold—these colors, and many more, are the shades you’ll see veins in.
Marble slabs often have thick and dark veining, which really makes a statement against the stone’s surface. The color of the veining on a marble slab depends on the area where the stone was formed, and the minerals present there. That’s why every marble slab is unique!
Marble Veining and Your Kitchen Decor
Choosing the right style of veining is essential to helping your kitchen come together in the most beautiful way.
When you’re deciding on a veining for your kitchen, size is the first thing you should consider. Why? Well, because large veining in a small kitchen will make the space feel cramped. Instead, choose smaller scale patterns with a smaller grain because they shine in smaller spaces.
In a large kitchen, though, large veining patterns will really come to life. If you’ve got a marble slab with large veining pattern in a large kitchen, that’s something you’re going to want to show off. Consider creating an island bench out of it, or maybe even a backsplash—that way the stone can be the focal feature in the room. Large veining is perfect for this.
Along with the size of your kitchen, you should also consider the rest of the room and its decor. As you’re putting the kitchen together and working with a marble slab that has a strong veining, it would benefit the room to have everything else take a back seat. If the marble veining can stand front and center, commanding attention, you’ll see your kitchen come to life in a really amazing way.
Such a contrast is always nice in a kitchen because your eyes know exactly where to go. Keeping the balance is important, especially if one element is going to act as the centerpiece of the room. If you’re not interested in the dramatics, though, subdued kitchens can also look nice—especially if they’re done in crisp white or other neutral colors.
Understanding Marble Veining
Stone countertop veining is a delicate thing. While its look may seem subtle and even inconsequential upon first glance, you’ll soon come to realize that it’s much more powerful and impactful than you’d think.
As always, True Blue is here to help with anything and everything related to your marble countertops and their veining. To learn more about this special feature, give us a call today at (512) 599-4294.