Marble — Marble has both a scientific and commercial definition. Scientific marble was once limestone that achieved metamorphosis from intense pressures and high temperatures within the earth. This altered its crystalline structure and introduced other minerals that produced the valuable colors and veining. Commercially, any stone capable of taking a polish (with the exception of Granite) is known as marble. This includes travertine, onyx, serpentine and limestone. Marble is not recommended on a kitchen counter deck but is used for the back splash, bathroom counter, walls and floors
Marble-Tumbled — Tumbled marble is marble that has been distressed by human means. Due to the distressing process the stones typically will have softer edges, non-uniform shape or size, pitting and rough texture. This is a similar process to rock tumbling. During the installation process many bits and chips will be filled with grout.
Travertine — Travertine is a variety of limestone formed in pools by the slow precipitation of hot, mineral-rich spring water. The "holes" characteristic of travertine were created when carbon dioxide bubbles were trapped as the stone was being formed. Although the classic travertine's are recognizable by their homogenous change to dark colors. Travertine is available in a variety of finishes including polished and honed. Travertine is not recommended on a kitchen counter deck but can be utilized for the kitchen backsplash, bathroom counters and walls as well as floors. During the installation process many bits and chips will be filled with grout.
Granite — Granite is a igneous rock, which means it was once molten and formed as it cooled deep within the earth. Minerals within granite typically appear as small flecks throughout the stone, once creating a "salt and pepper" look. Other types have veining similar to marble. Granite is a dense-grained, hard stone. It can be highly polished or finished in a variety of other ways. Abroad spectrum of color is available. Due to the hardness of Granite it can be used in any area of the home interior.
Limestone — Limestone is widely used as a building stone because it is readily available and easy to work with. It is a sedimentary stone, layered and formed from the skeletons and shells of sea creatures that lived in vast, warm seas millions of years ago. Much domestic limestone is gray to buff in color, while some pastel shades of yellow to pink are available. Imported limestone's are available in colors ranging from light beige to dark brown, red and black. When mineral dolomite is present, it makes the limestone harder and capable of being polished in the same manner as metamorphic marble. Limestone is not recommended on a kitchen counter deck but can be utilized for the kitchen backsplash, bathroom counters and walls as well as floors.
Mosaic — Small tile or bits of tile, stone or glass. These are used to form a surface design or an intricate pattern.
Quartz — Quartz based stones vary widely in color because of the different materials and clays contained within the stone. These stones can be found in varying hues of light gray, yellow, green and red. They may be either sedimentary in formation (such as the sandstones, bluestones and brownstones) or metamorphic (as in quartzite that is formed in exceedingly hard layers). Quartz is not recommended on a kitchen counter deck but can be utilized for the kitchen backsplash, bathroom walls as well as floors.
Slate — Slate is a fine-grained, metamorphic stone derived from sedimentary rock shale. It is uniform in color, available in shades such as dark to light green, mottled purple, black, gray or dark red. Unless its surface has been honed smooth, slate can be recognized by its distinct cleft pattern. Slate is not recommended on a kitchen counter deck but can be utilized for the kitchen backsplash, bathroom walls as well as floors.
Onyx — Onyx marble is translucent, layered calcitic stone in pastel shades. It is typically formed in caves as stalactites and stalagmites by the slow precipitation of cold, mineral-rich water. Onyx is not recommended on a kitchen counter deck but can be utilized for the kitchen backsplash and bathroom walls.
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