Types of stones come to life in our comprehensive guide. Delve into a diverse array of varieties as we embark on a journey to deepen your understanding of each unique type, from the enduring charm of granite to the opulent beauty of marble.
Dolomite
Dolomite is a type of sedimentary rock primarily composed of the mineral dolomite, which is a combination of calcium and magnesium carbonate. It is similar in composition to limestone but contains higher levels of magnesium, making it a distinct type of rock.
Granite
A very hard, crystalline, plutonic rock (formed deep beneath the Earth’s surface through the slow cooling of magma bodies) of various colors, consisting of feldspar, quartz (crystalline silica), and small quantities of other minerals.
Granite is extremely hard and more resistant to damage than marble, making it harder to harm and consequently more challenging to restore than marble.
Granite care is similar to marble, with the difference that it requires more effort, but less frequent maintenance.
For practical purposes, a high-gloss finish on granite is often achieved using motorized polishing tools and fine-grit diamonds.
Limestone
A highly porous rock primarily composed of calcite, mainly of marine sedimentary origin that hasn’t been recrystallized by metamorphic conditions or precipitated from mineral sources. Some very compact limestones can be polished to a high gloss.
Marble
A term applied commercially to any marble, limestone, or dolomite that can be polished.
Pure marble consists of 99% calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and forms through the recrystallization of sedimentary limestone when subjected to metamorphic conditions. Metamorphic conditions occur in the presence of heat and pressure beneath the Earth’s surface.
Limestone melts and crystallizes into marble, a highly compacted crystalline structure with uniform grain and hardness that can be polished to a high gloss. During this process, small impurities such as chlorides, sulfur, silicates, iron, and organic residues mix with limestone, producing various colors and veins in the stone.
Onyx
A stone similar to agate, often translucent and layered in appearance. It forms in cold mineral springs through the precipitation of calcite.
Quartzite
Metamorphic sandstone where the quartz grains of the sandstone fuse, creating a hard crystalline rock.
Sandstone
A sedimentary rock composed of rounded quartz grains bound together by silica or lime.
Serpentine
A rock primarily composed of hydrated magnesium silicate in:
- Green;
- Yellow;
- Brown.
It is named for its resemblance to snake skin. Many so-called green marbles are, in fact, serpentines, not marbles.
Siliceous Stone
A stone rich in silicate and silica content. These stones are resistant to acid attack and are generally harder to polish to a high gloss compared to calcite stones. You will find this mineral in granite and quartzites.
Slate
A fine-grained metamorphic rock with schistose cleavage, which can be split into thin sheets or slabs. It primarily consists of silica and alumina.
Soapstone
Common name for the mineral steatite. Steatite consists of at least 50% talc combined with other minerals, mainly magnesite, that have been geologically metamorphosed into stone through a combination of heat, pressure, and time. It is called soapstone because talc gives the stone a soapy feel.
Terrazzo
Artificial types of stones composed of chips mixed with cement and then polished as an economical alternative to solid marble slabs or tiles. Terrazzo care is identical to marble care.
Travertine
Types of stones, such as calcite, exhibit a range of colors from ivory to golden brown or reddish.
Formed over hundreds of thousands of years through the precipitation of calcite in hot mineral springs, this stone emerges from the ground relatively soft but hardens over time and exposure.
It features a pitted texture with cavities up to 1/2 inch, often filled with corresponding Portland cement when used in construction.
