A. Stones come from all over the world. Various types of stone, in a myriad of colors and textures, are found in different countries. Much of our granite comes from Brazilian, Indian and Chinese quarries. Marble is mostly from Italy, Spain and Mexico. Slate is imported from Brazil, India and China, while travertine and limestone come from Spain, Portugal and Mexico.

A. Natural Stone has been a popular housing and building material all over the world for centuries. However in America, wood has been the primary material used for housing. Natural Stones were mostly used for road construction and monuments. However this trend is now shifting towards the usage of Natural Stones in the Entry way, Kitchens, Atriums, Bathrooms, Fireplaces, Floors, Facades and many surfaces in homes and offices.

A. With the flooding of our environment with artificial equipment and material, Americans look for relief at home, and natural stones are products of nature. They give a timeless, realistic feeling and a sense of proximity to nature. When compared to all the visible items like wallpaper, paints, curtains, appliances, furniture, etc. Natural Stone may be the only REAL thing in today’s artificially decorated homes. They give a classic look and a distinctive feeling. The natural beauty of granite, marble, slate etc. far surpasses the beauty of all man made flooring and countertops.

A. There are various different Natural Stones: Granite, Marble, Limestone, Travertine, Slate, Quartzite, Sandstone, Adoquin, Onyx, etc.

A. Granite is a coarse grained, hard igneous rock. It begins as liquid magma in the center of the earth. Due to the extreme pressure within the earth and the absence of atmosphere, granite is formed. The process may take thousands of years. Its chief constituents are quartz, feldspar and mica. It is mostly found in mountainous areas.

A. The texture is typically homogeneous. Some granite have a lot of character, veining and color variation. It is weather and water resistant. It is very hard, scratch and abrasion resistant. It is dense and therefore lends itself to many textured finishes such as flaming, bushammering and sandblasting. Best applications: Both indoor and outdoor, Examples: Kitchen floors, countertops, wet bars, entry walls, foyers, vanities, shower walls, tub decks and mosaics.

A. Stones have different hardnesses and densities. Harder stones are difficult and more expensive to quarry and process. Quarries are usually in remote areas and the distance from processing plants is an important cost factor. Underground quarries are costlier to operate than those above the ground.

A. Marbles are carbonic rocks of metamorphic origin and some ophiolotic rocks formed by the alteration of limestone. Marble and limestone begin as the same material. Limestone is the result of millions of years of seashells and bones of sea creatures settling as sediment on an ocean floor (hence it is called a sedimentary stone). The calcium in the bones and shells combines with Carbon Dioxide in the water to from Calcium Carbonate, which is the basic mineral structure of all limestone and marble. Given enough heat and pressure, limestone will crystallize, resulting in marble. The crystal structure allows marble to take a polish, and bring our the colors of the other trace elements. Limestone, not being crystallized, will not polish.

A. Marble is usually streaked and shows tremendous color variation. Marble is available in a rich spectrum of colors. Best applications: Walls, floors, fireplaces, vanities. Not recommended for kitchen counters and wetbars.

A. From an aesthetic point of view, marble and granite are both beautiful stones with their own individual beauty and personality. Granite is harder than marble. It is a denser stone and is therefore more stain and scratch resistant. These qualities make it more appropriate for countertops. Since it is more environment resistant, it is often preferred to marble for commercial projects as well. Due to its denseness, granite lends itself to many textured finishes such as honing, flaming, bush hammering and sandblasting. Marble is usually available in the polished or honed finishes. On the other hand, while most granite is available in darker colors, marbles are available in many light colors. Marbles are characterized by beautiful veining while most granite colors are speckled or have wave patterns

A. Granite and marble are beautiful natural stones. They have withstood the test of times in terms of beauty and durability. The beauty of natural stone far surpasses the beauty of any man made material. The fact that they are now more affordable than they ever were is resulting in their widespread use. With stone prices dropping and ceramic prices rising as tiles have become more elaborate, more customers are choosing the former as the price differential has narrowed. A wide variety of granites are competitively priced with Corian, Avonite, and other plastic solid surface materials.

A. We stock over 150 different colors of marble and granite tiles. The colors range from very light, neutral colors to rich, dark colors. Floor tiles are generally available in 12’x12” and 18”x18” sizes.

A. Travertine is a chemical limestone that can resemble marble when polished. A form of marble that is less dense than high grade marble. Travertine is usually quarried underground. It often has size restrictions and usually will not take a polish finish. Specifically - carbonatic rocks of sedimentary origin formed by chemical precipitation in a subaerial environment, highly porous calcite.

A. Best uses: Entry Walls, Floors, Fireplaces, Vanities, Shower Walls, Tub Decks, Mosaics, Furniture and Sculptures. Not recommended for: kitchen counters and wet bars because it can be stained by fruit juices and alcohol products, and is prone to scratches. Note: Typically beige and brown. Requires special care, some cleaning products are destructive to travertine surfaces.

A. Travertine is formed due to the result of hot spring water percolating up through underground limestone. When the water evaporates, it leaves behind the layers of dissolved limestone and other minerals. The characteristic holes in travertine are the result of trapped gas bubbles; as the gas escapes, crystals form in the cavities. This is known as unfilled travertine. When these cavities are filled with cement, it is called filled travertine and the same is honed and polished which produces a uniform surface more like other marbles.

A. Slate is sedimentary, but unlike limestone which is shells and bones, slate is mostly plant life (fibrous, carbon based material), which decays in layers, giving slate its most famous characteristic. Slate can also contain some of the same minerals found in granite, which makes some slates iridescent and hard. Like some limestone and marble, the color comes from trace metals. The wild colors of most Indian and Chinese slates are the result of splitting the slate along natural layers, which exposes the metals to the atmosphere, and they oxidize (rust).

A. Slates offer a very vivid collage of colors at an extremely low price. The beauty of slate lies in its bold and earthy impressions. Slate is a great combination of earth tone colors and rustic look. This creates a very comfortable and natural atmosphere that goes with the exterior landscaping, plants, gardens etc. Another reason for using slate in patios or atriums is that these are usually open, so dust can settle. Dust tends to show up easily on polished Granite or Marble. The slip resistance of Slates makes them the best suited for use in Patios and Atriums, even when they are wet. Natural Stones give a hint of luxury, while still being affordable. With stone prices dropping and ceramic prices rising as tiles have become more elaborate, the price differential has narrowed so much that more and more customers are choosing the former for their floors and counters.

A. Translucent, generally layered, calcite with colors in pastel shades, usually yellow, brown, green, orange, and white. True onyx is nearly pure crystalline silica closely related to agate, a semi-precious stone. Onyx is formed by a slow precipitation from generally cold solutions of carbonated spring water.

A. Some different finishes of Natural Stones are: Polished: Presents a mirror like, high glossy surface, achieved by grinding, sanding and buffing. Honed: Smooth but not glossy finish. Best for low maintenance and heavy traffic applications. This finish differs from the polished, in that the last step of buffing is eliminated. The stone therefore shows the subdued color but not the gloss. Flamed: The flamed finish is achieved by subjecting the stone to a high temperature flame of a torch and burning most of the carbon content leaving textured quartzites with gentle coloration. This finish is very popular in commercial wall and flooring applications. Sandblasted: A rough, but neat look created by submitting the stone to a blast of sand. Tumbled: An old world, weathered look given to tiles by tumbling them in a solution of water, sand and mild acid. Cross-Cut: A method of end-cutting blocks of travertine which in turn displays a less linear, more rounded "wavy" pattern. Vein-Cut: A technique opposite of cross-cutting in which the vein in the stone is shown as linear pattern. Gauged vs. Ungauged: Slate is cleft out of blocks to form tiles. When it is cleft by machine or saw, it is gauged because a uniform thickness is formed. However, ungauged slate is hand-cleft and have variations in thickness up to 5/8 of an inch. Natural Cleft: A finish unique to the slates, it has an uneven surface, yet usable for flooring. This finish cannot be created. It comes from the layers of slate when it is quarried. However one face (backside) can be gauged to facilitate ease of "thin-set" installation. Some Marbles, Sandstones and Limestones are also available with heavy clefting, for wall applications. Edge Finishes: There are various edge finishes like chipped, pillowed, bull-nosed, beveled, chamfered, etc.

A. Good tiles come from good blocks of stone procured from good quarries. They are properly chamfered, well polished and perfectly square. On the other hand, poor quality tiles may be obtained from inferior quarries. They may have different dialects. The tiles may not be perfectly square and may also vary in thickness.

A. Open all boxes and mix up all the pieces before installation. This will help in an even distribution of the variation. White thin-set or mortar is recommended for all limestone, tumbled, antiquated stones, and light colored marble and granite. A good installer knows that green marble and some stones require water free epoxy thin-set. When stone is installed on a concrete slab at ground level, ensure that a proper moisture barrier is in place prior to installation.

A. Stone is the product of Mother Nature so there is always a variation in the stones. It is therefore advisable to sort out the tiles before installing. One should take personal interest in sorting and placing the tiles on the floor before installing. This will help in blending the variation of color, grain and veins. Open all boxes and mix up all the pieces before installation. This will help in an even distribution of the variation.

A. The main reason for differences in installation prices is the quality of workmanship. For what is commonly referred to as a mud job, the installer uses wire mesh, black paper sand and cement to prepare the floor. Price also depends on where and how the tiles are laid – straight, diagonally, borders involved Workmanship is the key to countertop installation also. A good fabricator/installer will put the minimum required seams, in the most desirable places and make neat cut outs and smooth edges.

A. Since floors are not generally perfectly flat, some grouting is usually necessary. However, a good installer will use minimum grouting between the tiles.

A. Some green marbles (green marble from India is known not to warp) and a few agglomerate marbles are notorious for warping. Warping is caused by water. Green marble set with any water based material will tend to warp. Once warped, it is difficult to repair. The only way to prevent warping is to install it properly with a non-water based material such as epoxy.

A.  Unlike other countertop materials that go in and of fashion, granite is not a ‘dated’ countertop material. The beauty of natural stone is timeless. Granite is very hard – it is the next hardest material to diamond. Granite can withstand heat up to 1800 degrees. If you love to bake, granite is a great prep surface for your pastries. With very little maintenance, your countertop will always look as good as ‘NEW’. Unlike a few years ago, granite is no longer unaffordable. A wide variety of granites are competitively priced with Corian, Avonite, and other plastic solid surface materials.

A.  Making a granite countertop involves a three step process: templating, fabrication and installation.We first ask you to fax us a drawing of your countertop. Based on your drawing we give you a FREE estimate. If you approve of the price you are welcome to visit our showroom to select the granite of your choice from amongst the vast array of colors that we carry. Once you have chosen your granite, our installer goes to your site to get a template of the job (actual measurements) After templating, the countertop fabrication and installation is generally completed in about 2 weeks.

A.  Slabs, large pieces of stone, come in 3/4” (2 cm) and 1 1/4” (3 cm) . For the most part there is no difference in durability or usage. The choice depends on the type of edging you want. You can see a variety of edge samples in our showroom.

A.  Granite countertops are custom jobs and the fabricator can make almost any edge you desire. However, some of the most popular countertop edges are: Eased, Full Bull nose, Half bull nose, Beveled, Ogee and Double Ogee.

A.  A cut-out can be made in the stone to accommodate the type of sink you choose. Any sink that you purchase will have instructions and a template for the cut-out needed. The countertop installer will take care of this during the templating process.

A.  Some granites are more porous than others and do need to be sealed to prevent spills from seeping into the stone. However, all our granite countertops are sealed during the fabrication process and again upon installation. The rule of thumb is that when the water no longer beads up, it's time to re-seal. That may vary from 1-5 years depending upon usage. The Sealant is available in a liquid form, easily available (we stock it too) and very easy to apply when required. A sealant consists of microscopic balls of silicone that attach themselves to the crevices inside the stone. Once they are attached to the stone, these balls become a permanent part of the stone and acts as shields when any kind of liquid lands on them and the same is not penetrated into the stone.

A.  Removing a stain is a three-part process, the first stage involves identifying the stain, the second stage involves loosening or dissolving the stain and the third stage involves lifting the stain from the stone. Any spill should be cleaned as soon as possible. Blot spills with a paper towel or clean rag. At this stage, it is important only to blot; wiping a spill may spread it over a larger area, making a larger mess. Use only cold water and stone soap or a neutral cleaner. Rinse the area several times. If a stain is still present, a chemical poultice may have to be applied. Avoid using chemicals of any kind until you know which chemical cleaner to use. If these things fail, it is often best to call a stone maintenance professional. If you are interested, there is a great book written by Fred Houston "Stain Removal Guide for Stone".

A.  No. Granite is much more scratch resistant than other countertop surfaces. It is a very durable work surface and has proven itself over the centuries. The only things that can scratch granite are carbide, diamond or another piece of granite.

A.  Since stone is a natural material and is mined from the quarry in blocks usually no more than 10 feet long, you may end up with seams. Also, because stone is sold in rectangular pieces, you may want to use seams to reduce your costs, such as an “L” shaped corner. The visibility of seams will depend on the granularity, color and pattern of the stone. It also depends on the size of the slabs and your particular counter top or island design. For instance, a seam in a slab of granite that has a small, uniform grain (such as Carioca Gold) will not be as apparent as in a stone with a larger varied grain (such as Juperana Sunset). A seam in a dark color will be less apparent than a light color. A dramatic pattern (Kinawa, Paradiso) will show more seams than a uniform pattern . Seams also depend on the size of the slabs and your particular counter top or island design A good installer will try to give you the least number of seams possible.. Most customers find that the beauty of natural stone outweighs the concern of seams.

A.  Seams are approximately 1/16" wide. During installation, a small bead of silicone is placed along the seam, where two straight, smooth cuts join together, to seal it. Occasionally, in areas of stress or insufficient support, the seams will be joined with epoxy. The epoxy is mixed with stone dust along with a color pigment to match your stone.

A.  After the stone is first procured from the earth, the shine on the stone is achieved by abrading the surface to the point at which it is extremely smooth and starts to develop some reflectivity. The techniques required to achieve this high degree require special and training so if your stone loses its shine, have a professional restore it.

A.  Granite countertops are very easy to maintain. For everyday cleaning, you may use a marble cleaner or mild soap and water. Do NOT use ammonia or abrasive products such as bathroom cleaners or powders or products containing acids. They may scratch or dull the stone. Use a squeegee or a dry towel to remove excess water, which may otherwise cause spotting.