Q.We have an end and cocktail table with black marble insets. I (wrongly) assumed that I could put a glass on the marble without a coaster. There is now a cloudy ring on the marble (possibly caused more by cold than moisture). It also appears that someone spilled something causing another cloudy "stain". However, both look like they are actually within the stone, as the surface is still shiny. Can anything be done to remove these stains? Thanks for your help.

A. Hi Black marbles generally etch very easily from acidic substances. etching is a natural chemical reaction of the stone which is composed primarily of calcium carbonate to neutralize the acid giving up its self and leaving a dull mark.

While the moisture or the cold shouldnt of caused the ring there was probably something acidic in the glass. Always remember that a true stain will always be darker than the the stone and an etch mark always lighter. To repair the table it is probably best to call a stone refinisiher with good references to repolish the marble. Black marbles can be tricky to polish and we dont reccomend doing it yourself.

Find a pro at www.stoneandtilepros.com

Stu Rosen