GRANITE
Granite is an igneous rock formed from magma (fire)
and consists of quartz, feldspar and mica. Granite
was once a flowing mass much like lava and as it
cooled down it became very hard, second only to
diamonds in its hardness. Even though it is fairly
common throughout the world, the areas with the
most commercial granite quarries are located in
Finland, Norway, Sweden, Northern Portugal, Spain,
Brazil, India and Southern Africa.
Granites are quarried throughout the world in the form
of huge blocks and then are reduced to slabs. These
slabs are crafted and fabricated by a professional to
the form you desire. They have different colorations,
patterns and veining.
Granite is extensively used as a dimension stone,
flooring tiles in public and commercial buildings and
with increasing amounts of acid rain in certain parts
of the world, granite has also begun to supplant marble
as a monument material since it is much more durable.
Granite, because of its resistance to blistering,
scratching, cracking and scorching, is the number
one choice for kitchen, bath and commercial surfaces,
particularly countertops. Polished granite with its high
gloss lights beautifully, adding dimension and elegance
to any room or space. It is easy to clean with just warm
water and a soft cloth.
MARBLE
Marble results from the metamorphism of limestone
and is composed mainly of calcite. It is extensively
used for sculpture and as a building material.
Pure white marble is the result of metamorphism of
very pure limestone. Italian Carrera , Royal White
and Beijing White in China have been admired for
sculpture since classical times due to their softness
and resistance to shattering. The low index of refraction
of calcite allows the light to penetrate into the stone
before being scattered out, resulting in the “waxy” look
that gives “life” to marble sculptures of the human body.
The characteristic swirls and veins of many colored
marble varieties are usually due to various mineral
impurities such as clay, silt, sand, and iron oxides
that were originally present as grains or layers in
the limestone. Other parts of the world where marble
is prevalent include Poland, Ireland, Spain, India, Greece,
Turkey, Romania, Mexico, Belgium, and Colorado and
Vermont in the U.S.
TRAVERTINE
Travertine is sometimes called travertine limestone
and sometimes travertine marble, though it is neither
limestone nor marble. Travertine is characterized by
pitted holes and troughs in its surface. Some installers
use a grout to fill these holes, where some others prefer
to leave the holes open. Travertine can be purchased
filled or unfilled. It can be polished to a smooth, shiny
surface and it comes in several colors – from pure white
to grey to red. Travertine derives its name from Tivoli,
Italy, near Rome, where there are extensive deposits.
When carbon dioxide-rich water flows through
limestone areas, the water dissolves the limestone
and becomes saturated with it. When there is a drop
or change in temperature in these environments, the
carbon dioxide is released as a gas and recrystallizes,
encrusting small debris and living biotic material like
moss and algae. Therefore the rock remains quite porous
with numerous cavities.
Travertine has been an important building material since
the Middle Ages. The GettyCenter in Los Angeles is also
constructed largely of travertine. The stone is most widely
used in Italy, Greece and Turkey.
Travertine is one of the most frequently used stones in
modern architecture and is commonly seen as façade
material, wall cladding, countertops and flooring.
ONYX
Onyx is a cryptocrystalline form of quartz, occurring
when quartz crystals are formed in cold water springs,
forming translucent layers of marble. Onyx is characterized
by its warmth and depth of color. It will glow if illuminated,
making it a popular modern choice for bar tops, countertops,
works of art, flooring, wall décor, altars, and many other surfaces.
The colors of its bands range from pure white to almost
every color and these patterns are completely unique- no
two pieces of quarried onyx are alike.
SLATE
Slate is a fine-grained rock mainly composed of quartz
and muscovite or illite. It is formed from the metamorphism
of a shale-type sedimentary rock consisting mostly of
volcanic ash or clay.
Slate tiles are typically used for interior and exterior
wall cladding or flooring. Tiles are installed and set on
mortar and grouted along the edges. Chemical sealants
are often used on tiles to improve durability and appearance,
increase stain resistance, reduce efflorescence, and
increase or reduce surface smoothness. Tiles are often
sold gauged or calibrated, so that the back surface is
ground for ease of installation.
Slate is frequently grey in color especially when seen en
masse. However, slate occurs in a variety of colors, from
pale to dark and also purple, orange, red, green and cyan.
Slate is prevalent in Wales, parts of France, Belgium,
Portugal, Germany, Norway, Brazil, and in the U.S.
