At Ampquartz, Johor Bahru's premier marble supplier, we confidently state why marble is increasingly becoming the material of choice for many. It's undeniable that despite the complexity of various elements, there is a remarkable similarity and connection among them.
“Take, for instance, the breathtaking rooftop view of the Great Mosque of Mecca, the world's largest mosque, and the unique architectural style of the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City. These are profoundly connected, just as the opulent lobby floors of JPMorgan Chase's New York headquarters share a common thread with the lavish furnishings and decor seen at Kim Kardashian's wedding.”
This connection transcends time and geography, showcasing symbols of wealth, power, status, and identity in diverse forms. Yet, one element remains constant across all these examples — Italian marble. This material serves as a testament to luxury and timeless elegance, consistently chosen by those looking to make a statement.
At Ampquartz, we understand this allure and stand firmly behind the enduring appeal of marble, a material that has captivated hearts and adorned spaces with unmatched grace and sophistication.
Why Are More People Falling in Love With Marble?
Over 500 hundred years ago, Michelangelo, a young visionary, relocated to Tuscany with his father in northwestern Italy following the death of his mother. It was there he first witnessed the enduring “snow” atop the Alps, an unforgettable spectacle. This wasn't just any snow, but a magnificent expanse of white stone, locally revered as “Marmo.”
The sheer abundance of this stone surpassed all expectations. From the shores of any neighboring town, one could distinctly see the marble mountains, their peaks cloaked in a perpetual blanket of white.
Is Marble Not Considered a Stone?
The city of Carrara, known for its rich marble deposits, was named by the Italians and means “quarry” in Latin. This area was home to hundreds of quarries, both large and small, as far back as ancient Rome.
The Romans were willing to pay a high price for the marble from this region to build their iconic buildings of imperial power such as the Pantheon, the Colosseum, and the Temple of Baalbek.
Caesar Augustus, one of Rome's most successful leaders, proudly stated that he inherited a stone city but left a marble city. This shows that in the eyes of ancient Romans, marble was not just a stone, but a precious material due to its rarity and unique color.
The Famous Marble Statue Michelangelo's David of Florence
The fascinating whiteness of marble was born in the dark. Millions of years ago, the original rocks in the earth's crust formed metamorphic rocks through high temperature and high pressure. The internal forces of the earth's crust promoted the changes in the structure of various stones, creating a rock structure that contains calcium carbonate.
These white crystals initially slept at the bottom of the ocean but slowly rose during a crustal movement many years later, forming many mountains in southern Europe. In some areas, it rose to 6000 feet (1828.8 meters), one of it is the Apuan Alps, the marble on the mountain formed in a way where people found it.
One of the quarries in the Apuan Alps once belonged to Michelangelo's father. Under the influence of his father's masons, Michelangelo learned to use hammers and chisels skillfully, just like all the children in this area.
However, the white stones on the mountains have a different appearance and view in his heart. After growing up, Michelangelo studied sculpture art, and most of his inspiration came from this.
Michelangelo made the famous marble statue Michelangelo's David of Florence, and it is at the Accademia Gallery. It is made from marble on Carrara Hill.
Inside Italy's $1 billion mountains that produce more tons of marble than anywhere else on Earth. ————– Business Insider
In those days, carving the 17,000-pound (7711 kilogram) “David” was no simple task, but Michelangelo still had a crazier wish in his heart, he had fantasized about carving the entire mountain into a statue. However, this was just a romantic imagination of a Renaissance artist.
Michelangelo quickly dispelled this idea and told others about it, as that is just a joke. However, people found this sentence: “If I can live four times longer, then I must achieve this crazy dream,” in his diary in his later years. Human life is limited, but marble is not.
Marble Getting More People Love It: The Symbol of Wealth and Power.
For centuries, marble has continually captured the affection and admiration of people worldwide. Since ancient Rome, the techniques and tools for extracting marble have significantly transformed, evolving from rudimentary axes and cattle to modern chainsaws and tractors.
Despite these advancements, one aspect remains steadfast: the extraction of vast blocks of white stone, their transportation over great distances, and their meticulous processing into symbols of wealth and power. The complex extraction process, the expensive transportation, and the scarcity of these colored marbles position them as luxury commodities, embodying wealth and a distinct mark of status and authority.
Indeed, marble's history is a testament to social stratification and wealth over the past few centuries. From ancient Rome through the Victorian era in London to the bustling streets of 20th-century New York, the demand for marble has been unceasing.
Today, its reach extends beyond thousands of miles to cities like Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, and even Beijing. Marble, akin to gold, has emerged as a coveted symbol of affluence and power, owing to its unique characteristics and rarity. The mining and utilization of marble stand unparalleled compared to any other material.
Photographer Luca Locatelli has adeptly captured the essence of those who work in the marble mines of Carrara through his evocative photography.
Marble is no longer a deserted Renaissance sculpture standing in a museum but has become smooth tiles of a lively shopping mall, the luxurious sinks of high-end hotels, the exquisite lobby of skyscrapers, and countless statues of people.
“I'm interested in marble and wondering if you are too. If you're looking for the best marble slabs, look no further than Ampquartz – a marble supplier located in Johor Bahru. They'll guide you in choosing excellent quality marble.”
