What are the Different Types of Natural Stone?
The wonder of nature’s creation. For millennia, man has been digging up the work of millions of years of tectonic movement, volcanic activity, and the decay of aquatic animals. From the earliest quarries in Carrara, Italy, to the green hills of Vermont, the quest for natural stone has uncovered a canvas beneath us that tells a story of the earth’s past. The Romans first quarried the hills of Tuscany for marble and that legacy continues to this day.
Natural Stone
Formed by heat and pressure, then pushed to the earth’s surface through erosion, Natural stone is created. Quarried from all over the world, it yields a variety of colors and mineral compositions. Typically, the type of natural stone can be identified by visible particles at the surface of the stone.
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Natural Stone
Natural Stone
Choosing a Countertop Surface
Granite | Marble | Quartzite | Travertine | Onyx | Soapstone | Limestone | |
Durability | Resistant to heat, scratches and chemicals | Resistant to heat Easily scratched & affected by harsh chemicals. | Highly resistant to heat, scratches, and chemicals | Highly reactive to acidic solutions, extremely porous, not the best choice for countertops | Unfortunately, onyx countertops are soft, fragile and require a lot of maintenance. Although similar to other natural stones in many ways, it’s not as hard | Very durable, resistant to heat, chemically inert, and scratch resistant | Is Heat resistant, and can scratch and stain. |
Construction | Natural Stone | Natural Stone | Natural Stone | Natural Stone | Natural Stone | Natural Stone | Natural Stone |
Easy to clean & Maintain | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
Needs to be Sealed? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Wide selection of color options? | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |