Marble is a metamorphic stone composed primarily of calcium carbonate or calcite. Generally with consistent background and veins, marble is available in a variety of colors. It is a stone which has undergone change through exposure of intense heat and pressure inside the earth. In the stone industry many dense limestones are often referred to as marble such as Crema Marfil and Rojo Alicante.
In the commercial stone industry a “granite” is a stone that is harder than marble. Under this definition gabbro, basalt, schist, gneiss, diorite and many other stones are referred to as “granite”. True granites are typically light-colored igneous stones with grains large enough to be visible to the naked eye. It forms during slow crystallization of magma deep below the Earth’s surface. Granite is composed mainly of quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of micas and other minerals. This composition usually gives granite a red, pink, gray or white color with dark mineral grains.
Limestones are sedimentary rocks composed primarily of calcium carbonate.
They usually form from marine life whose shell and skeletal remains accumulated as sediment and have lithified into limestone. These sedimentary carbonate stones are common on every continent and most have evolved through geologic history in warm, shallow, marine waters.
Slate is a sedimentary stone that started as shale and has undergone change. The original clay minerals in shale alter to micas with increasing levels of heat and pressure within the Earth. Most slates are gray in color but also occur in shades of green, red, black, purple and brown.
The color of slate is often determined by the amount and type of iron and organic material that is present when the stone was formed. Slate may also contain quartz ,feldspar, calcite, pyrite, and other minerals.
Builders are increasingly turning toward manufactured stone to increase the “wow” factor for their clients. But which stone do you buy? And who gives you the best value?
Truth is, many architectural stone veneers are of a consistently high quality. But one company, Environmental StoneWorks, offers builders a whole lot more. Their offering is not just stone, but stone plus installation. This turnkey approach makes them the only national player providing this much value. By purchasing both the product and the installation service directly from one source, a link in the mark-up chain has been removed and builders receive the best overall value.
We now offer high quality wall covering in natural stone veneer. Highly adaptable and very affordable, this natural stone can be used for interior or exterior applications.
It’s texture can be matched to any decor, offering endless possibilities. In beautiful 3D dimensions, each stone is unique in form and design.
It’s rich natural colors and amazing tones create a warm and wonderful look that nature has to offer.