Terminology / Definitions

Natural Stone

Natural stones are subject to variations in color shade and tone, markings, veining, grain, mineral deposits, etc. simply because they are a product of nature.  During their formation all sorts of elements were combined into various mineral amalgamations ranging from feldspar, quartz, & mica found in granite to calcium carbonate, magnesite, and dolomite found in marble.  This is due in part to the fact that stones are porous and will absorb fluids that comes into contact with them. Naturally occurring minerals of all colorations leach and seep into stones. This produces a varying array of color that can be present in a particular material. As well, the basic formation of stone produces its color as minerals are combined and subjected to intense heat and pressure.  You have to think of this formation on an immense geological scale.  When a block is quarried from one side of a mountain, the block quarried from the other side may be vastly different.  The characteristics of each block are going to be similar, but neither block is identical. Therefore, each slab is unique in its color, grain, veining, markings, etc.  We understand the complexity of the subject and this is why Arc Granite & Marble provide skilled people to assist you in your natural stone selection experience.

 

 Granite

 A fine to coarse-grained igneous rock formed by volcanic action consisting of quartz, feldspar, and mica, with accessory minerals, cooled slowly under great pressure.

Commercial definition - A term that includes granite, gneiss, gneissic granite, granite gneiss and the rock species known to petrologists as syenite, monzonite, and granodiorite, species intermediate between them, the gneissic varieties and gneisses of corresponding mineralogical compositions and the corresponding varieties of porphyritic textures. It is one of the hardest building stone with a very dense grain, making it virtually impervious to staining. It takes a highly polished finish that will endure even in inclement environments. There is a broad spectrum of granite colors ranging from nearly pure white to nearly pure black. Granite may be infused with other minerals providing patterned "movement" as well as color. Granite may also be quarried in highly consistent grains, with very little movement present. The term commercial granite also includes other feldspathic crystalline rocks of similar textures, containing minor amounts of accessory minerals, used for special decorative purposes.

 

Marble

A metamorphic limestone composed predominantly of crystalline grains of calcite or dolomite or both, that has acquired an interlocking or mosaic texture, most commonly by heat and pressure during metamorphism.

Commercial definition: Marble is a stone significantly softer than granite and, therefore, is subject to greater wear and staining. Most marbles are infused with different mineral deposits such as dolomite, silica or clay, providing variations in color, veining and significant movement. There is a broad spectrum of marble colors ranging from nearly pure white to nearly pure black.

 

Stone Slabs

Stone slabs are typically rectangular of shape, with one finished side and unfinished edges and backside. The usable part of a given slab is determined by the actual dimensions of the slab, less any holes or cracks along the edges. Most slabs are around 10 feet wide by 5 feet high, 45 to 65 square feet, but larger and smaller sizes are not uncommon. Few slabs will be less than 100'' wide or 60'' tall, or more than 135'' wide or 75'' tall.

Keep in mind that the slab size is the raw size of the material, and may not accurately represent what usable material there is on a given slab. Because the needs range from customer to customer, from application to application, you will always need to ask your fabricator to give you recommendations for how much stone to select. Despite some types of stone are quite uniform and may look fairly similar from one lot to another, it is unlikely that you will be able to find an exact match to an existing appliance using a lot we have since run out of.

 

Book-matched slabs

On the processing of premium quality stones with unique movement and veining design, the slabs are kept exactly in the sequence they are cut from the blocks on the gang-saws to the subsequent steps. They are moved onto polishing machines and then stacked in their original order in which slab one and slab two are a mirror image of each other, which allows a very consistent flow in pattern on the projects.

 

Resin

During the polishing process, an epoxy resin is applied to the surface of the slabs to fill in any of these natural pits, cracks or fissures that may exist in the stone. This does not affect the durability, maintenance or beauty of the slab. It is possible for some of the more minute pits that are too small to effectively hold the resin, to reopen during other finishing stages. However, this will not detract from the overall quality or appearance of the stone.


 

Mesh Backing

Mesh backing is adhered to the back of delicate stones to ensure safety while handling and fabricating the slab.