During Stone World's visit to the Colorado Yule quarry in Marble, CO, Daniele Treves, general manager (center), and Stefano Mazzucchelli, quarry master (right), of Colorado Stone Quarries took the time to explain the new developments at the site.

The drive from Denver to the town of Marble is majestic. Even in the summer months there are snow-capped mountains. And as you get up to the Colorado Yule quarry, you realize that the white caps are actually marble.

The quarry has a storied past. After several ownerships, it was purchased by Italian-based R.E.D. Graniti in April 2013. For years, those working the site were unable to produce large blocks due to the marble's soft sugary consistency. But with R.E.D. Graniti's expertise, that has all changed.

With nearly 50 years of experience in quarrying and processing natural stone, R.E.D. Graniti brought in its leading quarry experts to assess the site and to determine if there was viable material. It was particularly interesting to me to see the old quarry entrance, which I was told will be closed in the next year, and to see the new entrance where high-quality marble has been discovered.

Daniele Treves, general manager, and Stefano Mazzucchelli, quarry master, explained to me that a great deal of strategy and investment was needed to turn the Colorado Yule quarry into a success. A large investment was made in equipment. Additionally, a new road was built to allow access to the new part of the quarry.

The new area of the quarry is referred to as the "Lincoln Gallery," and the material is much harder than the marble that had been extracted from the old site. Colorado Stone Quarries -- the company name given to R.E.D. Graniti's latest endeavor -- reports a high demand for the new material. It will continue to work to utilize the quarry to the best of its potential.

"Give us three years," said Mazzucchelli. "We will be the best. It is unbelievable."