Product Overview

Nero Marquina 24" × 24" Polished Marble Tile creates a bold architectural surface through the dramatic contrast of deep black natural stone and expressive white veining. Quarried in northern Spain and commercially recognized as one of the world’s most distinctive black marbles, Nero Marquina brings depth, movement, and unmistakable luxury to interior floors and walls.

The high-polish finish intensifies the stone’s rich black coloration while reflecting light across its naturally varied white and pale-gray veining. Its generous 24" square format reduces the number of grout joints and allows the marble’s dramatic pattern to become the visual focus.

Ideal for entryways, living areas, bathroom walls, suitable interior floors, fireplace surrounds, and commercial feature installations, Nero Marquina works equally well in classical, Art Deco, and contemporary interiors.

Technical Specifications

Recommended Applications

• Entryways and Foyers: Creates a dramatic first impression with expansive black marble and contrasting white veining.

• Living and Dining Areas: Provides a sophisticated large-format floor for appropriate residential interiors.

• Bathroom Floors: Suitable for dry or intermittently wet bathroom floors when slip resistance and maintenance requirements are addressed.

• Shower Walls: The polished surface makes an elegant shower-wall statement when installed over a complete waterproofing system.

• Feature Walls: Ideal for reception areas, boutique interiors, elevator lobbies, bars, and hospitality environments.

• Fireplace Surrounds: Creates a strong architectural focal point when installed over an approved substrate and within required fireplace clearances.

• Kitchen and Bar Backsplashes: Adds bold black-and-white contrast behind counters and beverage stations.

• Decorative Insets: Can be paired with white marble to create checkerboard floors, borders, and custom geometric layouts.

Installation and Handling Guidelines

IMPORTANT: LARGE-FORMAT NATURAL MARBLE

Each tile is heavy and naturally variable. Substrate flatness, proper mortar selection, complete coverage, careful handling, and qualified installation are essential.

• Verify Thickness: Confirm the thickness of the current Hey Tiles inventory before ordering adjoining materials, profiles, drains, or trim.

• Inspect Before Installation: Examine every tile under the project’s permanent lighting. Check color, veining, dimensions, finish, edge condition, and thickness before setting.

• Dry-Lay the Floor: Arrange the tiles before installation to balance heavily veined, lightly veined, darker, and lighter pieces throughout the surface.

• Create a Veining Plan: Rotate and reposition pieces to create either continuous visual movement or a more random natural-stone layout.

• Prepare a Flat Substrate: Large-format tile requires an exceptionally flat, structurally sound substrate. Correct high and low areas before installation.

• Mortar Selection: Use a premium white Large and Heavy Tile mortar approved for natural marble and the installation environment.

• Moisture-Sensitivity Testing: Test the setting material on spare stone. If the marble reacts to moisture, use a rapid-setting or epoxy system specifically approved for moisture-sensitive natural stone.

• Mortar Coverage: Directionally trowel the mortar and back-butter every tile. Obtain at least 80% coverage in dry interiors and 95% coverage in wet installations, with complete support at edges and corners.

• Leveling and Lippage: Use appropriate large-format installation methods and continuously verify elevation between adjoining tiles. A leveling system assists alignment but does not correct an uneven substrate.

• Grout Joint: A joint of approximately 1/16" to 1/8" may be considered depending on tile calibration, substrate conditions, and installer recommendations.

• Grout Selection: Use unsanded grout or fine-aggregate grout approved for polished marble. Test it on spare material to confirm that it will not scratch or stain the surface.

• Pre-Sealing: Apply a penetrating sealer approved for polished black marble before grouting. Test first because some products can alter the color or sheen.

• Wet Areas: Install shower walls over a complete waterproofing system. Stone sealer does not replace waterproofing.

• Movement Accommodation: Include perimeter and field movement joints according to TCNA EJ171 and applicable construction requirements.

• Cutting: Wet-cut with a clean, continuous-rim diamond blade designed for marble. Support the tile fully and follow appropriate crystalline-silica safety procedures.

• Order Allowance: Purchase approximately 10–15% additional material for cuts, veining selection, breakage, and future repairs. Diagonal or patterned installations may require more.

Important Floor-Use Considerations

The polished surface can become slippery when wet. This 24" × 24" format is not recommended for shower floors, pool decks, or continuously wet walking surfaces without documented slip-resistance approval.

Natural Nero Marquina may also contain veins, mineral lines, fissures, or factory reinforcement. These characteristics should be evaluated during the dry-layout process. Consult a qualified stone installer for commercial floors, high-traffic areas, or installations exposed to rolling loads.

Care and Maintenance

• Clean with warm water and a neutral-pH cleaner formulated for polished natural marble.

• Never use vinegar, lemon, acidic bathroom cleaners, bleach, abrasive powders, or aggressive degreasers.

• Wipe spills promptly, especially citrus, wine, coffee, oils, cosmetics, and strongly pigmented liquids.

• Use microfiber cloths, soft mops, or non-abrasive pads to preserve the polished finish.

• Place protective pads beneath furniture and use entry mats to reduce tracked-in grit.

• Avoid dragging furniture, appliances, or sharp objects across the marble.

• Reseal periodically according to exposure, use, and the sealer manufacturer’s instructions.

• Professional refinishing can restore marble that has become scratched, etched, or dulled over time.

Natural Stone Variation

Nero Marquina is a genuine natural stone. Differences in black intensity, white veining, mineral deposits, fossils, clouding, surface markings, and factory reinforcement are expected.

Some pieces may display delicate white lines, while others contain broad or intersecting veins. These differences create the material’s characteristic appearance and are not considered manufacturing defects.

Inspect and blend material from all crates or cartons before installation. Installation constitutes acceptance of the stone’s natural color, pattern, and structural characteristics.

Design Profile

• Aesthetic Inspiration: Art Deco, contemporary luxury, European classicism, modern minimalism, and boutique hospitality.

• Color Character: Deep black with dramatic white and pale-gray natural veining.

• Visual Advantage: The polished finish and large format create an expansive, mirror-like stone surface with fewer grout interruptions.

• Layout Options: Straight grid, diagonal, checkerboard, framed border, and book-matched-inspired arrangements where the available veining permits.

• Complementary Stones: Thassos White, Calacatta Gold, Bianco Dolomite, Carrara White, and Crema Marfil.

• Complementary Materials: Dark walnut, white oak, smoked glass, lacquered cabinetry, and warm plaster.

• Complementary Metals: Polished brass, champagne bronze, chrome, polished nickel, and matte black.

• Suggested Grout Colors: Black or charcoal creates a continuous surface; pale gray or white strongly defines each tile.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nero Marquina genuine marble?

It is commercially classified and sold as marble. Geologically, Nero Marquina is a fine-grained black limestone traditionally quarried in the Basque region of northern Spain.

How much does one tile cover?

A nominal 24" × 24" tile covers approximately four square feet.

What is the thickness?

The current Hey Tiles page does not specify thickness. Comparable 24" × 24" Nero Marquina tiles are commonly produced in approximately 3/8" or 1/2" thicknesses. Confirm the actual inventory before ordering.

Does Nero Marquina require sealing?

Yes. Apply a penetrating sealer approved for polished black marble before grouting and reseal periodically.

Can this tile be installed on a shower wall?

Yes, when installed over a complete waterproofing system using mortar and grout approved for natural marble.

Can it be installed on a shower floor?

The polished 24" × 24" format is not recommended for shower floors because it provides limited grout traction and may become slippery when wet.

Can Nero Marquina be used outdoors?

Exterior use is not recommended without written supplier approval. Freeze-thaw exposure, moisture, sunlight, and weathering can affect polished marble.

Will every tile have the same amount of white veining?

No. Veining can range from fine, widely spaced lines to bold, intersecting patterns. Dry-lay and blend the tiles before installation.

Can Nero Marquina be paired with white marble?

Yes. Thassos White, Calacatta Gold, Bianco Dolomite, and Carrara White create striking black-and-white floors, borders, and decorative wall installations.