About Stone

Mainly consists of calcite. It does not show much graining or crystalline structure. It has a smooth granular surface. Varies in hardness. Some dense limestones can be polished. Common colors are black, grey, white, yellow or brown. It is more likely to stain than marble. Limestone is known to contain lime from seawater.SANDSTONE:

Is a very durable formation of quartz grains (sand). Usually formed in light brown or red colors. Categorized by the most popular sandstone bonding agents such as silica, calcium, clay, and iron oxide.SOAPSTONE:

A very soft stone made of a variety of talc. It is a dense mineral that wears well and is often resistant to stains.FOSSILSTONE:

Considered a limestone that contains natural fossils
such as seashells and plants.TRAVERTINE:

Usually a cream or reddish color. It is formed through the accumulation of calcite from hot springs. It contains lots of holes that were formed from water flowing through the stone. These holes are often filled with synthetic resins or cements. This Stone will require more maintenance if the holes are not filled. It is known as a limestone and a marble.

A recrystallized limestone that formed when the limestone softened from heat and pressure and recrystallized into marble where mineral changes occurred. The main consistency is calcium and dolomite. Ranges in many colors and is usually heavily veined and shows lots of grains. Hardness rates from 2.5 to 5 on the MOH Scale.Marble is classified into three categories: (Stone World)

1. Dolomite: If it has more than 40% magnesium carbonate.
2. Magnesian: If it has between 5% and 40% magnesium carbonate.
3. Calcite: If it has less than 5% magnesium carbonate.

SLATE:
A fine-grained metamorphic stone that formed from clay, sedimentary rock shale, and sometimes quartz. The nature of this stone is can be very thin and therefore can break/flake more easily than other stones. Slate is usually black, grey, or green can be found with reflective colours of silver and can also be found in copper and red tones.

SERPENTINE:
Identified by its marks, which look like the skin of a serpent. Most popular colors are green and brown. Hardness rates from 2.5 to 4 on the MOH Scale. Contains serpentine minerals has lots of magnesium, and has an igneous origin. Does not always react well to recrystallization or diamond polishing.

IGNEOUS: stones are mainly formed through volcanic material such as magma. Underneath the Earths surface, liquid magma cooled and solidified. Mineral gases and liquids penetrated into the stone and created new crystalline formations with various colours.

GRANITE: Primarily made of Quartz (35%), Feldspar (45%) and Potassium. Most Granites usually have darker colors, contain very little calcite, if any and provide a heavy crystalline and granular appearance with mineral grains. It is very hard material and easier to maintain than marble. Yet, it is still porous and is susceptible to staining. There are different types of granite depending on the percentage mix of quartz, mica and feldspar. Black granite is known as an Anorthosite. It contains very little quartz and feldspar and has a different composition than true granite.

MAN-MADE: Stones are derived of unnatural mixtures such resin or cement with the additive of stone chips.

TERRAZZO: Marble and granite chips embedded in a cement composition.

AGGLOMERATE or CONGLOMERATE: Marble chips embedded in a colored resin composition.

CULTURED or FAUX MARBLE: A mix of resins that are painted or mixed with a paint to look like marble.