I've seen kitchen benchtops in a marble called Calacatta and, having made some enquiries, I've found it to be quite expensive. Why is it so special and, if I choose it for my kitchen, what kind of care will it require?

The price of this material reflects both its beauty and its rarity. "Calacatta marble is a unique stone available from only one quarry in the world, in the town of Carrara, Italy," says Nicole Arciuli, Director of specialist stone supplier Arciuli. "Calacatta has a white background and magnificent veining that varies from greyish to goldish tones - you'll see something different in it every day." Cleaning this material requires warm water and a good microfibre cloth - definitely no harsh chemicals or cleaning agents. Keep in mind that acids can etch into the finish of any marble, so be sure to wipe off any lemon juice or vinegar spills immediately. Arciuli; (02) 9804 7232.