Nessus Extra

Geologically this is a calcitic metamorphic rock — a platform limestone from the Mesozoic sedimentary realm of the Tethys, recrystallised through tectonic pressure metamorphism, which was transformed into crystalline marble under raised conditions of temperature and pressure. The principal mineral component is calcite (calcium carbonate) with minimal proportions of other carbonates; the fine grain size and the high purity explain both the pale ground tone and the good properties for taking a polish.

In the slab pattern, Nessus Extra shows a pale ivory-cream through to almost white ground tone which, depending on the block, shifts slightly towards a warm cream or a cool pale. Characteristic are soft, horizontally running drawings of movement and waves in delicate beige, sand and light grey tones, which read like gently flowing water or a light sedimentary layering. These images of current are remnants of the original sedimentary layering, which was partly preserved in the metamorphism and now becomes visible as a fine banding of colour nuances. Unlike heavily veined Calacatta or Statuario marbles, sharply set-off veining is absent — Nessus Extra reads as markedly calmer, more even and more restrained. That is precisely the intended effect of the “Extra” grade: a marble with classic natural stone presence, without the expressive drama of a Brescia or a Macchia Vecchio.

Technically, Nessus Extra is a remarkably robust marble: the bulk density lies at around 2,700 kg/m³, the compressive strength reaches 112 MPa and the flexural strength 16.3 MPa — both values at the upper end of the marble range. The water absorption of only 0.2 % makes the stone comparatively insensitive to moisture and freeze-thaw cycles, which qualifies it, alongside interior fit-out, for protected exterior applications such as pool surrounds, terraces or façade claddings. As with all carbonate marbles, however, the Mohs hardness remains at around 3 — the stone is acid-sensitive. Lemon juice, vinegar, wine, cola or limescale-removing cleaners can leave matt etch marks on the polished surface.

Compared with other pale marbles, Nessus Extra sits, in price and stylistically, between the more affordable Turkish cream-beige marbles and the high-priced Italian Calacatta or Bianco Statuario grades. Anyone looking for a calmly flowing, pale marble with a premium character who can do without expressive veining gets a very coherent material in Nessus Extra; unlike Volakas Marble (likewise from Drama), Nessus Extra in the Extra grade reads as somewhat lighter and more even.

The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. On request we produce from them kitchen worktops, vanity tops, wall claddings, stairs, window sills, skirtings, floor and wall tiles as well as project-specific special cuts. For homogeneous large surfaces we are glad to select the slab sequence from adjacent blocks, so that the play of colour tone and movement runs into one another.

Our honest assessment: Nessus Extra is a rewarding, versatile material for projects that want to achieve a classic, calmed effect with a pale natural stone — especially in bathrooms, prestigious wall surfaces, hospitality and residential architecture. Anyone looking for strong veining or needing maximum acid resistance for intensive kitchen use should reach for a Calacatta, a quartzite such as Taj Mahal or a pale porcelain. But anyone who values the calm, flowing character of a Greek premium marble at a reasonable price will find a very convincing choice in Nessus Extra.