When it comes to choosing durable countertops for your kitchen, a luxurious look for your bathroom or a welcoming workspace for your office, the options can be seemingly endless.
How do you know if you should go with marble, quartzite, dolomite, or granite? From cost to color to cleaning, each selection offers pros and cons.
That’s why you need a place where you can see all the choices in one location.
Plutus Marble’s 50,000-square-foot warehouse showcases the largest selection of natural stone in Indiana.
“We’re an import distributor,” says Rob Santarossa, Plutus director of sales. “Our focus is to be a stone boutique. We’re the only one here in the state, and we have more marble and exotic stone than anyone.”
Santarossa and Plutus founder Darik Campbell, bring more than 45 years of experience in the industry, with Santarossa’s being in fabrication and Campbell’s being in supply. They have literally travelled the world to top locations to source stone. In addition to Italy, which Santarossa describes as “the place,” Plutus brings in luxury stone from Brazil, Mexico, Namibia, Turkey and, of course, the United States.
“Marble has always been our first love,” Campbell says. “The look and feel of marble is something that cannot be duplicated by other engineered materials.”
He says the Cristallo options Plutus has been importing offer a depth and level of translucence many clients are seeking. Outside of the classic Calacatta Gold, Borghini, Statuario and Carrara marbles, Campbell and Santarossa look for unique marble that you won't see in every house or business. Plutus also sources quartzite, dolomite and granite.
“We hand-pick the most beautiful stones that you can't find anywhere else and that provide a ‘wow’ factor,” Campbell states. “We pride ourselves on buying the best blocks available."
Santarossa and Plutus Sales Representative Stephanie Riwitis agree that Campbell has an uncanny ability to project trends.
Right now, Taj Mahal quartzite is probably the most popular stone choice in the world, according to Campbell. Riwitis says Sky White dolomite is another top seller. However, the Plutus showroom boasts stone in virtually any color, from lilac to red jasper.
Campbell says clients often fall in love at first sight; however, not every stone is a perfect fit for every application. That’s where Plutus’ bespoke service comes into play.
“Homeowners and designers come in, and we help them navigate the process of selecting stone,” Riwitis says.
Campbell says the Plutus team enjoys educating clients on how certain stones will react and perform in regard to their specific projects.
“As a team, we take the time with the client discussing the differences in the stone classifications and what to expect,” Campbell says. “We want the client to enjoy the stone.”
Here is a brief description of just some of the stone options available for quality countertops, islands, backsplashes and accent walls:
Granite: Popular in mid- to high-end homes, granite provides a durable option that can be found in a variety of natural colors and patterns, but it does require periodic sealing to prevent stains.
Quartzite: A natural stone, quartzite marries the sophisticated look of marble with a durability similar to quartz. However, like granite, it does need to be sealed to prevent staining.
Dolomite: Found in shades of white and gray, dolomite can make an elegant statement. Though it does need to be sealed, dolomite provides greater heat- and scratch-resistance than marble and at a lower price tag.
Marble: Marble brings an uncontested timelessness to any space. However, its beauty makes it more susceptible to scratches and stains and less practical for those who need a surface requiring lower maintenance.
Whether it’s for an expansive custom home or a high-end commercial space, with the help of the Plutus team, clients are sure to find just the right stone for their needs in Plutus Marble’s boutique gallery.
Plutus moved to a new location in May 2024, which is designed for clients to walk around and spend a few hours finalizing their selections. The space offers some fun uses for marble beyond countertops, like marble cornhole boards and a soon-to-open natural stone shuffleboard. In addition, a bourbon and wine bar will soon be up and running for clients who would like to sip while they stroll the showroom.
In 2025, Plutus Marble will be featured in the Dream Home, Decorator Showhouse and Home-A-Rama homes.