World Bank of Natural Stone

Granite

A hard, igneous rock, granite is one of the top choices for countertops and other home improvement projects for good reason. Granite’s renowned durability and its variety of colors make ideal for use in kitchens and bathrooms, around fireplaces, and in other locations throughout the home. It holds up to heat and is almost maintenance-free, so you can use your countertops without worrying about damaging them. If you’re willing to make the investment now, granite will last you a lifetime.

Quartzite

Quartzite is an extremely durable, heat-resistant, and stain-resistant natural stone, making it an ideal choice for countertops. Formed from sandstone and quartz, quartzite is harder than quartz and develops an appearance similar to veined marble. Quartzite typically comes in gray and white and is resistant to chips and scratches.

Marble

Marble was used for building tombs, temples, and palaces. For a long time, it was considered as Royal Stone. It is, however, now used in hotels and homes too.

Marble comes with one of the higher price tags found among natural stone, but the finished appearance is worth it. This type of stone is formed from intense heat and pressure, creating beautiful colors and intricate lines throughout the stonework. Marble comes in many colors and is both waterproof and heatproof, although it does require regular maintenance to prevent stains.

Marble – The Cozi and Charming
Marble is one of the most elegant natural stones in the world. It has been used for centuries to construct palaces fit for kings and statues dedicated to gods.

If marble stone is free from all impurities, it will be solid white. Most marble, however, contains other minerals and can be bluish, gray, pink, yellow, or black. The colors won’t be stark, though. Any other bright and vibrant colors likely indicate that it’s human-made or that it is a natural stone mixed with other materials.

True marble will also have an unparalleled glossiness. This is often replicated in synthetic stones by adding small bits of glass and other materials, but it does not carry the same lasting shine of marble.

Marble is made naturally through thousands of years of heat and pressure. The colors of other minerals will appear as veins or swirls throughout the stone, with no repeating or symmetrical patterns and at varying depths and dimensions. Marble is also somewhat translucent, often allowing you to see a few millimeters past the surface, which gives the material more depth.

The reason marble is so popular with artists and architects alike is that it is relatively soft and easy to cut and carve. The most reliable way to tell if you are looking at real marble is to test its hardness by cutting with something sharp like a knife. A real marble top will show scratches and etching over time. If you scratch a knife on a marble top and don’t see the damage, the surface is likely granite or manufactured stone.

Marble brings to mind the splendor of ancient Rome, timeless architecture that inspires and uplifts all those who look upon it. Maybe I’m being a bit dramatic, but the fact remains that marble is certainly the most awe-inspiring of all the natural stones. Although marble will provide the maximum possible upgrade to your home’s atmosphere, it does come with certain downsides. As with all three stones we will be examining in this article, let’s establish a list of pros and cons that will inform your final decision on which stone to use for your project:

project:
Pros

Heat-resistant. This allows hot pots and pans to be placed on its surface and makes marble suitable for fireplace construction.
Very few other stones can match marble’s exquisite beauty.
If well-maintained can increase the property value of your home Travertine

A form of limestone, travertine typically comes in white, tan, and cream colors. Travertine forms in mineral springs and is a sedimentary rock that is often used in construction. In particular, many homeowners and builders use travertine for patios and garden paths.

Soapstone

This dark gray or green stone has a soft, smooth feel to it, almost like the feeling of running your hand along a bar of dry soap. Soapstone is a popular choice for kitchen or bathroom countertops when you’re interested in fostering a more natural or rustic look in your home. It can be used as countertop material or sink material and is somewhat resistant to staining, but it does require regular maintenance with mineral oil.

Onyx

Onyx is a beautiful mineral with distinctive bands of color running through the stone. Though black and white are among the most common colors for onyx, these minerals can also feature reds, purples, blues, and more. Onyx has long been used in decorative architecture and sculpture, providing a beautiful accent for your home villa hotel hospital and projects.
Marble and Granite

These are natural stone materials, and both are porous. If you want the technical details, marble is a metamorphic rock formed from recrystallized carbon. It is formed out of limestone that is subjected to intense pressure and heat due to tectonic shifting in the earth’s crust.

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