The increase in demand has reached to the extent that currently (as of 2018) the demand for this material is greater than the production of this material. The production too has increased in recent years to catch up with the demand.
Quarries of Volakas Marble
There are approximately 10 active quarries of the material. The quarries of this marble are located in Volakas, which is what gives it its name. Some companies, however, choose to call this marble by other names, depending on the quarries from which they are extracted and the differences in tones etc that may exist.
Varieties of Volakas Marble
As is normal with natural stones, the marble comes in different varieties based on different aesthetic criteria.
a). Diagonal veins. The veins of this variety tend to be diagonal and this is its distinctive feature. Frequently the colour of this variety is of beige/brown or grey tones, depending on the quarry.
b). Cloudly/Flower veins. Not as well known as the Diagonal variety, this name comes from the aesthetic look that comes out of the cut while processing. Some quarries give the name Volakas Flower because of the form of the vein.
A new format has recently been presented in the market which is some people called Fantasy but goes also be other names. This too comes from the type of cut.
The Volakas marble from different quarries tend to have different patterns and colours. The predominant colour, however, is white background with grey veins or of beige or brown. The veins can also be of ocre, or wine, or violet. The veins, moreover, can be thicker or also be thinner, within the same stone. In some varieties it is the background that is predominant, in other varieties it is the vein that differentiates the most.
Classification of Volakas Marble
As is almost always the case, industry classification is based on aesthetic criteria. Normally Volakas would be white/grey with veins alternating between being thick and long and the patterns variation.
Volakas is a dolomite marble in terms of mineral composition. It differentiates from other dolomites by the type of veins and that is how different names are given. Its technical characteristics are similar to other dolomites. The resistence to wearing out is superior because it has greater flexibility. With big blocks care has to be taken that the slabs are not bowed.
