Business · Companies · 1 day ago
Ticino marble quarry turns to luxury design goods
The Maurino family is turning Cristallina marble into luxury design goods to strengthen its business.
The stone comes from Switzerland’s only active marble quarry, high above Peccia in Ticino, and is processed in Biasca.
The family has run the quarry since 2010, but now extracts marble mainly to order and does not disclose current production.
Cheaper imports and convincing ceramic imitations are squeezing natural marble, especially in building uses such as floors, bathrooms and facades.
The family is therefore selling objects such as vases, candle holders and a handmade chess set under the Cristallina Design name.
The products target wealthy buyers who value exclusivity and craftsmanship; even simple pieces cost several thousand Swiss francs.
Designers are from Switzerland, and production is mainly in Ticino.
Whether the luxury strategy can find enough buyers remains uncertain.
The Maurino family is repositioning Cristallina marble from Ticino as a luxury design brand.
Its quarry above Peccia is Switzerland’s only active marble quarry.
The family says cheaper imports and convincing ceramic imitations are putting pressure on the business.
It is making design objects such as vases, candleholders, jewellery pieces and a marble chess set.
The products are aimed at wealthy customers, but whether the strategy will find a market remains uncertain.
- Who
- Ticino family business Maurino Graniti, led by Cesare and Natascia Maurino.
- What
- The family is promoting Cristallina marble through luxury and design objects.
- When
- The quarry has been operated by Maurino Graniti since 2010; the article was published on 8 November 2026.
- Where
- The marble is quarried above Peccia in the Maggia Valley and processed in Biasca, Ticino, Switzerland.
- Why
- Cheaper imports and ceramic products that resemble marble are putting pressure on the natural-stone business.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Maurino Graniti began operating the marble quarry.
Annual production was around 600 cubic metres, according to the article.
The family mainly extracts marble to order and sells Cristallina design objects from its showroom in Biasca.
SRF published its report on the quarry’s move towards luxury design goods.
- Quarry
- Switzerland’s only active marble quarry
- Location
- Above Peccia in the Maggia Valley, around 1,200 metres above sea level
- Processing
- Biasca, Ticino
- Operator
- Maurino Graniti, since 2010
- Past annual production
- Around 600 cubic metres
- Colour variants
- 16 shades, including white-grey, green, black and violet
What people are saying
This marble quarry is our pride and joy.