Review: MIKOL’s Nero Marquina Marble case adds a sophisticated touch to your iPhone

I don’t know when it happened, but I recently became obsessed with accessorizing natural elements with the electronics I use in my day to day life. The idea of mixing something new and then something in its natural state just feels very compelling. My eye was eventually drawn to MIKOL’s marble iPhone cases, and I decided to take a look and see if this really was a line I could continue down. Can a sophisticated take on a natural material really give the iPhone a more appealing aesthetic? More than that, is this niche desire worth it?

MIKOL sent me their Nero Marquina Marble iPhone case a few weeks ago to test out on my iPhone 6. I love the idea of a simple iPhone case, that altogether is completely unique in its own way. Truly the only similarity this Nero Marquina case has to others is the plastic that surrounds the marble backing. Even then, each Nero Marquina case is unique and different from each other thanks to the unique properties of marble.

The first impression I got when pulling this case out of it’s deluxe packaging was that I wasn’t truly sure if it was marble or not. The backing is eye-catching and looked sleek, but the plastic edges looked almost cheap in contrast to the rest of the case. Those familiar with the cold, hard feeling of a marble countertop could expect that the case would have similar properties, yet it doesn’t. MIKOL addresses this on their site by candidly pointing out that we don’t get the same sensations with this piece of marble on the case because of the fact that this marble has been thinned out to a sliver the thickness of a credit card. Thinner marble means there’s less volume to maintain that cold-to-the-touch feeling.

Eventually as I used the case on my phone and went outdoors more, I did notice the case begin to maintain that familiar cold feeling. This was something I definitely felt satisfied with as I began to feel as though this really may just be the marble I know and love. Although it is only a sliver of marble, it does provide a strong backing and support that doesn’t bend easily. The marble is as thin as a credit card, but as sturdy as a much thicker case.

The plastic edges along the Nero Marquina case are definitely my least favorite aspects. The edges don’t make the case feel secure and like they are protecting my phone. This is a stark contrast to the rigid and supportive back. Using a case like this on a daily phone of mine would be more like an accessory versus a case for protection. The phone looks good lying flat down on a table or desk, and feels solid every time I pull it out of my pocket. It’s an impressive feeling all around, but I can’t shake the thought that edges could’ve been made more premium to match the backing.

While overall I love the look of the case, it’s hard to justify the higher premium price point here. When customers buy something made of marble, they expect it to be made of marble. Whether they are accustomed to feeling thin pieces like this or not, it may have a lot of customers wondering if it really is made of marble. MIKOL tip-toes the line between form and function here in creating this iPhone case, and it’s something I’m not sure how many others will be able to swallow.

MIKOL’s Nero Marquita Marble iPhone cases are available on mikolmarmi.com or Amazon for $99. Custom engraving options are available exclusively through MIKOL’s website.