The right natural stone sink and bathtub supplier shows you photos and video of the exact piece you will receive, gives you its real weight and dimensions, explains finish and sealing, crates each piece individually, ships with complete documents and commits to a realistic lead time. If a supplier cannot do these things, the risk moves to your project. Use the checklist below to compare suppliers before you sign.
Why supplier choice matters more with stone
A ceramic basin is identical to the catalog photo. A hand-carved stone basin is not: every piece is carved from a single block, with its own shape, color and veining. Weights are high, transport is long and a damaged bathtub cannot be replaced from stock overnight. That is why the supplier — not only the product — determines whether a hotel, a development or a showroom order goes smoothly.
The supplier checklist
| What to ask | Why it matters | What a good answer looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Photos and video of the exact piece | Every stone is unique | HD photos and video of each selected piece, before you confirm the order |
| Real weight and dimensions | Floor load, countertop and handling | Measured weight and size per piece, not a range |
| Finish and sealing | Look and maintenance | Clear finish description; sealing advice for porous stones such as travertine |
| Crating | Damage in transit | Each piece in its own wooden crate, matched to the packing list |
| Documents | Customs clearance | Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, B/L, phytosanitary certificate when required, HS codes |
| Lead time | Your opening or handover date | A written schedule: production 45–90 days plus 20–30 days at sea |
| References | Track record | Years in business, completed projects, a physical showroom |
| After-sales | Support after delivery | A named contact, fast replies, care instructions for your team |
Exact-piece photos and video
Ask for photos and video of the specific piece, taken from several angles, with a measuring tape in view. Generic product photos are not enough for natural stone: color, veining and shape vary from block to block. For repeated rooms, ask the supplier to curate matched sets by size and tone so the variation reads as natural character.
Real weights and technical data
Typical ranges help early in design — vessel sinks 15–100 kg, pedestal sinks 180–400 kg, bathtubs 800–3,000 kg, statues 30–600 kg — but the specification needs the real weight of each piece. For bathtubs, the structural engineer must confirm the floor load. For vessel sinks, confirm the drain position on the actual piece: stone basins have no overflow, so they take a 1¼" pop-up drain without overflow and a tall deck-mounted or wall-mounted faucet.
Finish, sealing and care
A good supplier tells you which surfaces are polished (the interior always is), which are natural or textured, and which stones need sealing. Travertine is porous and should be sealed. Care is simple: pH-neutral soap and a soft cloth, never acids, bleach or abrasives. If a supplier says stone needs no care at all, be cautious.
Crating, documents and lead time
- Crating: each piece in its own wooden crate, labeled and listed on the packing list.
- Documents: commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, Bill of Lading, phytosanitary certificate when required and HS codes.
- Lead time: three to six months in total for a container, in writing, with milestones you can follow.
- Terms: clear Incoterms (FOB, CIF, DDP or EXW) and payment milestones tied to real events, such as the Bill of Lading.
References and after-sales
Ask how long the supplier has been working with the workshops, which projects they have delivered and whether you can see pieces in person. Ask who answers you after delivery and how quickly. A supplier that replies within 24 hours during the quote usually keeps that pace after the sale.
Red flags
- Only catalog photos, no images of the exact piece.
- Weight given as "approximately" with no measured value before shipping.
- Full payment requested up front, with no link to production or shipping milestones.
- Vague answers about crating, documents or Incoterms.
- Lead times that sound too short for hand carving plus sea freight.
- No physical address, showroom or verifiable track record.
How we work
Marmer Butik has imported hand-carved stone from Bali and Java since 2013 and runs a showroom in Brazil. We send HD photos and video of every piece, real weights, full export documents and a written schedule. See our wholesale terms, the specification guide and our programs for hotels, architects and designers and dealers.
Why buy from Marmer Butik
Natural stone is unique. That is why we handle every piece individually — and you know exactly what you will receive before you commit.
- Photos, videos and measurements of the exact piece: Before you order, you receive photos, videos and the real measurements of every selected piece. You approve the piece you will receive, not a catalog photo.
- Selected and inspected one by one: Every sink, bathtub, pedestal and statue is chosen and inspected individually at origin: finish, polished interior and drain opening checked before shipping.
- Premium quality: Solid natural stone, hand-carved from a single block by artisans in Bali and Java. No coating to peel — built to last for decades.
- Safe, secure packaging: Every piece is packed individually with reinforced protection — for container orders, in its own wooden crate matched to the packing list.
- Direct importer since 2013: Over a decade of direct relationships with the workshops, no middlemen. We handle crating, export documents and shipping to your port or door.
- Dedicated specialist: One specialist follows your order from quote to delivery, in English, Spanish or Portuguese, with a reply within 24 hours on business days.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a natural stone sink supplier?
Ask for photos and video of the exact piece, its real weight and dimensions, finish and sealing details, how it is crated, which documents ship with it, the written lead time, references and who supports you after delivery.
Why do I need photos of the exact piece?
Because every stone is carved from a single block and is unique. Color, veining and shape vary, so you should approve the actual item, not a catalog photo.
Does a stone sink need sealing?
Porous stones such as travertine should be sealed and resealed periodically. Clean all stone with pH-neutral soap, never acids, bleach or abrasives.
What lead time is realistic for stone bathtubs from Indonesia?
Production takes 45 to 90 days and sea freight 20 to 30 days, so plan on three to six months in total.
What are the red flags when choosing a stone supplier?
No exact-piece photos, no measured weights, full payment up front, vague answers on crating and documents, unrealistically short lead times and no verifiable track record.
How are stone pieces protected during shipping?
Each piece should travel in its own wooden crate, labeled and matched to the packing list.
