It is a soft, porous stone formed in the earth’s crust from limestone reacting to the extreme heat underground but not directional pressure
It mainly contains the minerals calcite and dolomite, however impurities in the original limestone recrystallise to form other minerals that create a variety of colours in the marble
It is used in many building applications including kitchen benchtops, bathroom vanities, shower and bathroom walls, floors and spas, living room and foyer floors, reception desks, furniture, ornaments and headstones
Colours range from whites with black veins to red, black or green with white veins
White marble contains more calcite, yellow marble contains limonite, reddish marble contains hematite and green marble contains serpentine
Veins are created when minerals in the stone liquefy due to the heat in the earth’s crust, then flow through the stone and solidify as the earth cools
It is used by designers for its beauty and ability to achieve a mirror finish when polished
Although it is fairly resistant to erosion and fire it is not an ideal surface to use as a kitchen benchtop or bathroom vanity where acidic substances are commonly used
Sealing with a penetrating sealer is recommended
It has a rating of 3-5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness
The layering occurs in limestone caves when water drips over limestone and redeposits forming stalactites and stalagmites
The name onyx has Greek origins and means claw or fingernail which has a similar translucent appearance to onyx stone
It is used to make tiles, tables, hand basins, vases, bowls and ornaments, bars and feature walls that can be backlit, as the light will shine through the translucent stone
It is known for its opalescence, spectacular patterns and vibrant colours
Colours range from earthy reds, browns and greys to a variety of pastel greens, creams, gold, amber and white
It is a soft, fine-grained stone made from calcium layered under extreme heat and pressure
It is a popular choice for designers and architects when a point of difference is required to lift the profile of an establishment or home
It is mainly found in the USA, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, India, and Africa
It is not a stone that should be subject to hard wear
It must be sealed with a penetrating sealer otherwise stains can be difficult to remove
It etches with acidic liquids such as juice and wine and must be maintained with care due to it’s delicate layers
Onyx is usually highly polished to bring out the beautiful patterns and colours in the stone
It has a rating of 6.5-7 on the Mohs Scale of hardness
It is formed in the earth’s crust during low-grade metamorphic conditions
It is often used for furniture, ornaments and jewellery as it is soft and ideal for carving
It is a soft, silky feeling stone
Thin slabs of serpentine may be used for wall panelling and stair treads
Colours are usually yellowy green, olive, dark green, brown, grey and black depending on the minerals in the stone
It usually has a white vein and an opaque to translucent look once it is polished
The pattern in the serpentine is said to resemble a serpent’s skin, hence its name
It’s translucent and opalescent green look is sometimes mistaken for jade
Its green colour is mainly due to the magnesium content
Unlike other metamorphic stones such as marble and limestone, serpentine is not affected by acidic liquids and therefore can be used for kitchen benchtops although this is not a common application
Although it can be polished it has a waxy lustre rather than a highly reflective glossy finish
It is commonly called ‘marble’ or ‘green marble’ in the stone industry
It is a soft, porous stone primarily formed from calcium rich organisms like seashells and bones
It has a smooth surface and can vary in hardness
It contains the mineral calcite however some limestone also contains magnesium, which makes it harder and allows it to be polished to a high gloss like marble or homed to a semi-gloss or matt finish
The harder limestone is also more weather resistant
It is used in kitchen benchtops, fireplaces, floors, bathroom vanities, ornamental pieces, interior and exterior wall cladding and paving as it is easier to manipulate than harder igneous stones such as granite
Colours are usually soft and include grey, light beige to tan, white, pastel pink, green and yellow
It will absorb oil, water and other liquids therefore it must be protected with a penetrating sealer
Softer varieties of limestone are not recommended for high stress areas
It can scratch and will etch when exposed to acidic substances such as juice and wine
It has a rating of 3-4 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness
It is a soft, porous stone made from calcium and usually found near natural hot springs
Over time layers are formed and carbon dioxide bubbles become trapped forming the holes which are commonly seen in travertine
It is used for kitchen benchtops, bathroom vanities, for shower walls and floors, interior and exterior wall cladding, exterior tiles, living room and foyer floor tiles, paving and curbing, furniture and feature walls
Colours are usually cream, ivory, beige, brown, pink, red and gold
Like marble it can be polished to a high shine or honed to a semi-gloss or matt finish
It will absorb oil, water and other liquids therefore it must be protected with a penetrating sealer
It can scratch and will etch if exposed to acidic substances such as juice and wine
It is not a hard wearing stone however if the holes are filled with cement or resin the travertine can be honed or polished and used in high traffic areas
It is particularly popular with designers for its creamy colour, texture and feel and its luxurious look
It has a rating of 3 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness
It is a soft, porous stone formed when sand containing a variety of minerals including quartz, pyrite, iron, silica, calcite and some organic matter which are cemented together by pressure
Other minerals, which give sandstone its character and add colour include mica, hematite, feldspar, ilmenite and clay
It is used mainly to produce interior and exterior floor tiles, paving and walls and was commonly used in the 1800’s to build large buildings and bridges prior to the use of reinforced concrete
Colours are usually cream, brown, red, grey and sometimes green but can vary depending on the minerals covering and cementing the sand, for example sandstone that contains iron will be red to brown, whereas sandstone with a silica content will be more white.
It is a strong, weather resistant and durable stone with a matt finish
It has excellent slip resistance and is suited to pool areas, driveways and courtyards
It is porous and susceptible to staining and therefore must be sealed with a penetrating sealer
It is particularly popular with designers and architects for its matt finish and reddish brown swirl patterns and its long term durability, especially in commercial buildings
It has a rating of 3 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness
It is an extremely hard, course grained stone formed through the slow crystallisation of magma below the Earth’s surface
It mainly contains the minerals potassium, feldspar and quartz with small amounts of mica
Most of the continent is made of granite
It is one of the most popular building materials in the world and is commonly used indoors for kitchen benchtops, bathroom vanities, floors and furniture
Outdoors it is used in large structures such as bridges, monuments, retaining walls and steps and in large public floor areas due to its solid character and ability to withstand deterioration
Colours are usually shades of black, grey, brown, red, pink and yellow, which are determined by the minerals trapped when the stone is forming
It is extremely heavy so its weight must be considered when choosing an application
It will not etch and is resistant to staining, although prolonged exposure to oils can cause discolouration
It has a rating of 5.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness
Basalt also known as Bluestone is an igneous stone
It is solidified magma, formed when lava from a volcano reaches the Earth’s surface and cools quickly within days
Most of the earth’s surface and the ocean floor is mainly made of basalt
Colours are variations of blue/grey, green/grey, grey and black
It is a hard stone commonly used as road base, for street pavers, building veneers, flooring and other construction applications requiring stone with strength
It is extremely durable, has a non-slip surface, can withstand very high temperatures and is resistant to corrosion, etching, weathering and chemicals
It is commonly seen in a residential setting used outdoors for driveways, pathways, ponds, around pools, on outdoor walls and in foyers of commercial buildings
Although it is hard wearing it is still susceptible to staining and requires sealing with a penetrating sealer
An enhancing sealer can be used to darken and enhance the colour of the stone
It has a rating of 6 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness
It is a fine-grained stone formed under the ocean when layers of sedimentary rock, clay, shale or quartz are compressed under low-grade heat and pressure
Due to its layering slate can be easily split, exposing a range of magnificent textures
It is mainly quarried in Africa, China, Brazil, Italy, USA, UK and India
It can range from very soft to hard depending on its origin
It was traditionally used on roofs as shingles, in blackboards and for headstones
It is now used for outdoor paving around pools, on driveways and for floor and roof tiles
It is heat, fire and weather resistant and highly resistant to acidic liquids
There are some softer slates that can break, chip and scratch so the environment must be considered when choosing a slate
It can absorb water therefore a good quality penetrating sealer will provide added protection and strength
An enhancing sealer can also be used to darken the grey colour
It has a rating of 5.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness
