Last month, I had the pleasure of arriving in Verona for MARMOMAC, the world’s largest natural stone fair, and let me tell you—it’s a true marvel. Picture an exhibition space sprawling with massive blocks of natural stone, some so monumental you could almost imagine them as part of an ancient structure. While I’ve been to my fair share of industry events around the world, MARMOMAC stands out with its unique showcase of these colossal, awe-inspiring blocks, each revealing the beauty and resilience of nature in every slice and polish.
MARMOMAC is more than just a display of materials, though. It’s a celebration of the entire journey of natural stone—from the ground, through cutting and finishing, to the final polished masterpiece. The technology on display is extraordinary, showing how modern advancements can achieve in moments what once took artisans days, if not weeks. And while your mind might jump to kitchen benchtops or floor tiles when you hear "natural stone," there’s a lot more on offer. Three-dimensional shapes, intricate carvings, and even polished sculptures—these stones are ready to become architectural art in the hands of the right creator.
Watch the video below to be there with me and have an inkling of what this international fair is about and also for some basic understanding on selecting natural stone that's right for you project.
Bill El-Cheikh, an expert with decades of experience in the natural stone industry, shared insights into what makes each visit to the MARMOMAC Fair so important. For him, the focus is on building and maintaining strong relationships with suppliers. These connections often mean access to premium stone blocks, which Bill brings back to Australia for WK Stone, introducing unique and exotic options to the market.
When selecting stone for Australian clients, Bill considers not just aesthetics but practicality. He evaluates colour trends and carefully assesses if a particular stone will suit use as a benchtop, given that not all stones are durable enough for that purpose. The Australian market has embraced matte finishes over gloss, following European trends toward textures like honed, flamed, or leather finishes, which interact beautifully with natural light to reveal a stone’s unique depth and character. As Bill notes, every piece of natural stone is one-of-a-kind, each block telling its own story through the patterns created by nature.
I often visit the WK Stone showroom and warehouse and look at the slabs myself which is always important because each slab is unique. They also have a warehouse and showroom in Melbourne and the Gold Coast, giving you a chance to look and touch making sure you select the perfect slab for that important project. I invite you to visit their showroom too or their website to explore the wonderful world of quality Natural Stone that's available in Australia.
James Treble has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. James is also an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for plenty of Design information. Watch his free Online Series to see how an Interior Designer renovates his own home.
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