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5 Ways to make Art with Stone

Stone only has advantages when applied somewhere. Besides its durability, there is something that also makes it different from other raw materials: its adaptability. From just one block of stone, various artistic creations can emerge.

1.

From just one block of stone , various artistic creations can emerge. Let’s start with sculpture, the transparency of how a person can be portrayed through a bust or simply half of their body can be conveyed in stone. Sculpting all the features of a person is something really challenging, both for their physical features and their facial expressions. The same thoroughness is taken into account when animals are sculpted, or even monuments.

2.

Bust and reality. is an art that makes a bust almost unmistakable with reality, but it is not only the sculpture that has this power, but also the relief of natural elements. Nature is one of the oldest ways to express art, it is visible in still life painting in the 19th century. With stone is no exception, LSI Stone portrays nature through subtle salience in every design.

Embossing ends up being a junction between classical and modernism. Monuments thousands of years old integrate relief into their construction to enhance beauty or even movement.

3.

The importance of the relief of things, plays a key role when it comes to the description of 4D version elements. These are mainly present in works of art with different types of stone, which in the end form a complete image. You can see in the map below the various qualities of stone that were used, in this one particularly LSI Stone used water jetting to make the perfect finish to the masterpiece.

Credits: Joana Linda

4.

When it comes to exteriors, it’s possible to use the stones themselves in a different way; for example, stones can be transformed into urban art. This only brings advantages, buildings that had an old look take on a new life in a natural way.

Credits: Basilio Artist

5.

Last but not least, decoration. Needless to say, there are a thousand and one ways to make decorative pieces whether they are for everyday use or not. The furniture in a house doesn’t have to be boring! It can contain decorative details to enhance the beauty of the product. Allied to beauty is the detail of the product that LSI Stone can achieve. Innovative and exclusive pieces are part of our standard. LSI Stone can make a dream come true in stone. With quality material and always with a sustainable conscience.

April 5, 2022

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Granite and its adaptability to any environment

THE UPSIDE OF BUYING GRANITE

Let’s start with the first positive side of buying granite, its homogeneity. Granite presents a homogeneous pattern and hardly integrates imperfections. For those who know granite, they know that it is naturally impossible to contain fossils in its integrity. Why is this so? Because granite comes from volcanic lava that has cooled over time. Needless to say, granite also contains no water lines, so it can adapt to any weather condition without breaking or cracking.

Granite adapts to every personal taste. The best known is indeed the gray granite, but there are other qualities of granite that present very appealing colors. Direct from the north and south of Portugal to LSI Stone, we consider it one of the most popular granites in Portugal at the moment.

Rare is the kitchen in Portugal that does not have granite on the countertop. For years it has been very famous both in private homes and even in large scale buildings. But why granite? It’s simple, because of its durability and adaptability. It is a very practical type of stone when it comes to cleaning, not to mention easy to repair when damaged (which almost never happens).

Adaptable to various weather conditions, granite is a natural element that suits both the inside of the house and the outside.

Naturally Granite

Granite itself appeals to sustainability, if the stone is dirty, you can just wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Even if it’s something harder to remove, you can rub it off because this type of stone doesn’t scratch that easily! It is also a great option for those who are starting a sustainable life, for example, when you make food by the fire, you can put it directly from the fire onto the granite without causing any damage to the stone.
Betting on granite is also betting on your health. Having a natural element is an asset to the process of cutting food, because it prevents other flavors and chemicals from being integrated into it.

Everything that is cared for, lasts longer. The same happens with stone, if each one takes good care of what they have at home, it will end up lasting generations like the great-grandmothers’ house in portugal.

March 4, 2022

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Can the stone imperfection be a problem?

Is different the new perfect?

Just like us, beings of nature have imperfections, we are different and have different origins. The same happens with stone. So you must be aware that it is normal for some stones to have imperfections, in fact, that is what makes them unique, right?

Sustainability

WANTED: Perfection in the nature of things

Examples of production rejected. Cause: it contains trace fossils and/or water lines

Lately we have been seeing a tremendous search for perfection, from the personal way, to the professional way, or even in the perfection of things. However, perfection is unfortunately unattainable, so we are left with near perfection.

In these photos you can see the defects that some of our materials have. The cluster of fossils is really what stands out the most, but is this a problem? Actually, no, clusters fossils have only one problem: aesthetics.

As for water lines, you have to pay attention to the atmospheric conditions where they will be integrated. In the Nordic countries it has a major disadvantage because it can lead to breakage.

Some of LSI Stone’s productions are rejected for their small details of nature. Being a natural product, it is impossible to control its production. Even so, our quality control does its best to achieve perfection by always ensuring a homogeneous color in the product.

IMPERFECTION = UNIQUE

Marble is considered one of the most coveted luxury products in the world. However, it is not perfect either. As we can see in the picture below, marble also has some lines that end up distorting its shape a bit.

Being a product that lasts for years, stone is naturally unmanageable. Betting on different products is the new trend! Allied to the minimalist style, stone with small agglomerated traces of fossils, may be the near future. Supporting sustainability from this perspective may also be an option. The difference in a product makes the piece unique and exceptional.

Onyx and the possibility of integrating the deformity into luxury

Limestone is a very peculiar stone that inserts several qualities. As its extraction is located in the Serras de Aire and Candeeiros Natural Park, that includes stalactites and stalagmites such as the Mira de Aire Caves are among them, being one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal. The mineral rich water flowed through the limestone for thousands of years, the stalactites generated a different kind of onyx.

There is no way of knowing whether or not Onyx exists inside the stone, this discovery is only made when the block enters the production/modification process. To combat waste LSI Stone decided to give new life to what is considered a luxury product. This makes waste sustainable, and adds value to something that took so many years to be built by nature.

February 7, 2022

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Portuguese Cobblestone

Portuguese cobblestone is one of the great Portuguese heritages – a symbol of the city of Lisbon. Wherever you go in Portugal, from big cities to small villages, you will find Portuguese cobblestone on the pavement.

This art of making the pavement patterned and colourful emerged in the 15th century by King Manuel I, who had small pieces of stone implemented in Lisbon’s pavement. This design uses small cubic shaped natural stones, usually light in colour. There is, however, a variation of darker stones that are applied to create different patterns.

From Katarzayma Jaiklewi+

From Julie Dawn

From NCultura

Largo do Chiado, Lisbon

Coimbra University entry, Coimbra

Padrão dos Descobrimentos in Belém, Lisbon

This pavement quickly became an art inspired by Roman mosaics and patterns rich in symmetry and different shapes, from Caravels to birds.

There are many variations and techniques to apply Portuguese cobblestone. However, the perfect execution of the Portuguese cobblestone is made by qualified people named “calceteiros” with a lot of experience, as this is a unique and traditional art that requires a lot of talent.

Portuguese Cobblestone around the world

Although the cobblestone is typically Portuguese, it quickly spread to various parts of the world.

Calçadão in Rio de Janeiro

Memorial to John Lennon in Central Park, NY

Senado Square, Macau

From Living Mosaics

From Imagine Piece

Why is portuguese cobblestone a trend?

The Portuguese cobblestone is a timeless art. By applying this art to your project, you are for sure creating something fantastic that will bring a new luxury to your design. You can create cut-to-size projects, with unique elements and how the customer desires.

These are some of the examples located in the city of Lisbon.

From Comunidade Cultura e Arte

From Magazine da Cidade

From VortexMag

Avenida da Liberdade, Lisbon

Praça do Marquês de Pombal, Lisbon

Cais do Sodré, Lisbon

From Expresso

From LisbonLux

From Pinterest

Rua de São Tomé in Alfama, Lisbon

Parque das Nações, Lisbon

Largo de Camões, Lisbon

Which are the most common types of Cobblestone?

The stones used to design Portuguese pavement usually are limestone, granite and basalt. Taking into account the desired result, these are the most common:

Limestone

Limestone is one of the most common stones used in paving in Portuguese cobblestone. This stone is extracted in central Portugal and is more commonly applied on all types of pavement. The stone is composed of different types of calcium carbonate crystals, mostly calcite and aragonite. Normally, its dimensions vary between 40x60mm and 100x110mm, for artistic sidewalks and pedestrian sidewalks, however, the stone can be cut for cut-to-size projects. Limestone can represent many colours, from light/white to grey, beige and dark/black.

Granite

Granite stone is one of the hardest and densest stones, is suitable for any type of application and location. Granite is mainly composed of quartz, mica and feldspar. The stone is extracted in the north of Portugal and takes proportions from 40x60mm to 100x110mm, depending on whether it is being used for Artistic Sidewalks or Roads, and it can be adapted for cut-to-size projects. Granite is essential for the creation of colourful and multi-coloured patterns, with the most common being for a more grey and yellow paving.

Basalt

Most sidewalks and patterns are made with limestone and granite, however, basalt stone is used for specific situations where the objective is to contrast with a darker and more homogeneous stone. This type of stone is only used in small proportions and is distinguished by its irregularity in the cut, as this is a material that is difficult to work with. Usually, black coloured basalt is used, which is easily confused with black limestone.

August 3, 2021

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The perfect Natural Stone for your bathroom

Natural Stone recommended for your bathroom

Natural stone is suitable for every part of the house- with the right application and maintenance.

A bathroom is a place where a lot of humidity and water can get infiltrated in the walls and flooring. For that reason, it is important to choose a stone with low porosity or with the right finish or sealant. Some finishes also help to protect the stone, although they need to be taken into account for security reasons.

Most limestones and marbles are porous stones, so it is necessary to apply treatment, such as a proper finish or a correct sealant. When it comes to granites, it is different: granites don’t have porous, so it is the perfect stone to apply anywhere, especially in bathrooms and countertops.

Things you need to know before using natural stone

1

Natural stone is porous: even though you can apply finishes or sealants to try and minimize water absorption, it needs to be maintained and sealed again so it doesn’t create mould or fungi.

2

Stone is slippery: the best finish to protect the stone from humidity is polished- but, with this finish, natural stone gets extremely slippery. In a bathroom, you want to avoid slippery materials, so, even though you can use this finish only on the walls and apply a sealant on the floor, it is not recommended.

3

Maintenance: you want to avoid using detergents or cleaning agents that might damage or discolour the stone. Some aggressive detergents might create an irritation on the stone, while others might pass moisture into the stone surface and stain it.

4

Stone is cold: most types of stone are cold materials that tend to cool down space where they are applied. Thus, natural stone is a great heat conductor so you can apply heated flooring so that your bathroom is always warm and cosy.

5

Reinforcement on the flooring: no matter the thickness of the stone, it is important to reinforce the subfloor underneath the stone tile before it is installed.

Although porous natural stones are not recommended for bathrooms, they can be applied with the required elements: sealants, maintenance, and proper finishing.

These are some of our suggestions:

Marbles

Pele de Tigre

Pele de Tigre is a marble from Portugal with a white color, fine to medium grain, a distinct irregular dark blue veins and a relatively high degree of hardness. Some variations occur in characteristics such as vein intensity and pattern, color and structure.

Estremoz Lagoa

Estremoz Lagoa is a marble of Portugal with a white, grayish and blue color, thin to medium and brownish veins. It has a relatively high degree of hardness, is widely available and is suitable for coating, interior decoration, medium to high traffic pavements, coatings and other stones.

Estremoz White

Estremoz White is a marble from Portugal with a white color, fine to medium grain and brownish veins. It has a relatively high degree of hardness, is widely available and is suited for cladding, interior decoration, medium to high traffic flooring, coverings and other stonework.

Ruivina

Ruivina is a marble from Portugal with a grey color, dark blue tone, medium grain and distinct veins. It also has some white shaded zones and a relatively high degree of hardness.

Limestones

Moleanos

Moleanos is a Portuguese limestone with light beige coloured background and a slight greyish tonality, with thin to medium grain and disperse brownish fine spots.
With a medium hardness, it’s frequently used for cladding, pavements, interior decor, street furniture and other stoneworks.

Atlantic Blue

Atlantic Blue is a limestone from Portugal with a blue homogeneous color and thin grain. It has some dark blue dots, lighter and darker areas and, sometimes, a distinct dark blue vein.

Hard Blue

Hard Blue is a limestone from Portugal with a blue homogeneous color and thin grain. It has some dark blue dots, lighter and darker areas and, sometimes, a distinct dark blue vein.

June 14, 2021

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Facts that will make you choose Natural Stone

Why should you choose natural stone?

Natural stone is a flexible material that can easily be used in many areas and spaces. In this post, we will take you on the main point of why you should opt for natural stone for your projects.

Choosing natural stone means opting for a unique product that comes from nature.
New materials strive to imitate its beauty, but genuine natural materials connect us with our planet and its future in a unique and undeniable way.

More and more, we see architects and designers are opting for natural stone products. The authentic and timeless character and durability of natural stone offer an absolute added value for every house or project! New technologies are also keeping the stone at the forefront with innovative interior design trends, introducing new textures and patterns.

Here are some of the reasons why you should opt for natural stone:

Easy to maintain

It lasts forever

Sustainable material

Most natural stones are easy to maintain. Of course, there are some stones that, for being too porous or too soft, require more maintenance. But overall, it is a material that can keep its original form for a long time.

One of the most durable materials- it lasts forever. When we take a look at history’s long art pieces, we see that most of these sculptures and buildings are made with natural stone. It is no secret that stone stands forever.

A sustainable material that combines beauty with an ecological footprint. It is produced by nature. It doesn’t require the use of energy or power to be created. Nowadays, its transformation is done using small amounts of energy, and most of the energy that it uses is renewable.

Adds value to your home

Health Benefits

Large variety

Creates art in your home and adds value. Because stone lasts forever, you are sure that you have a timeless material.

Natural stone is an amazing material to have at your house to surround yourself with natural elements. Natural stone has a positive health effect because its free of synthetic materials.

You can find stones of many shapes and sizes, colours and patterns, porosity and durability.

So, it is time for you to adapt your place to the beauty of the natural stone.

May 28, 2021

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Marble Countertops: clean, prevent and seal

The Beauty of Natural Stone

As mentioned before, marble is one of the most desirable natural stones for countertops to maintain. You can choose a marble countertop and still last you years to come. After all, natural stone lasts forever.

Marble has one the largest ranges of colours, veining and patterns in natural stone. So, it is one of the most flexible stones to adapt to in any style.

Marble and how to protect it

Marble is mainly composed of calcium carbonate, and most of them are very porous. For this reason, it reacts to acid solutions such as lemon juice, wine, tomato sauce or even acidic cleaners. These simple but deadly components can etch and create spots on the stone.

At this point, you can either choose to embrace marble’s natural characteristics or apply another treatment for the stone to achieve its original shape.
So, for you to keep your marble countertops shiny as new, follow these simple guidelines.

#1 Cleaner - Act fast, Clean faster!

Using abrasive cleaners is the first non-recommendation when it comes to marble care. Instead, you can combine warm water with a non-abrasive, mild or pH-neutral soap. This mix gently cleans a marble countertop without damaging it.

After you mix these two ingredients, gently spray the surface and absorb the stains and grease areas. After all is cleaned, completely dry the area with an absorbent cloth. Avoid using a scrubber or scrub brush on the surface because it can damage the stone.

#2 Prevention - better late than ever!

Organic Food

Being a very porous stone, marble easily stains and quickly absorbs any ingredient. Besides the daily maintenance routine, sometimes difficult stains get absorbed by the stone. When these unexpected stains happen, you need to act fast and quickly sop up any standing liquids and dry the surface.

When it comes to organic food, it’s recommended to clean with a 12% hydrogen peroxide solution embed in a few drops of ammonia. If the stain is oil-based, gently clean with any liquid cleanser that has acetone or mineral spirits in it. Don’t forget to use small quantities.

Acid Incidents

When it comes to acid incidents, it is best to avoid them at maximum because marble reacts almost immediately to acid, and usually, there is no way out. Thus, if an incident of that nature happens, for example, a water spot or a light scratch, you can try and correct the etching by gently buffing your countertop with a dry #0000 steel wool. But, if the etching is deeper than surface level, you probably need to look for professional help to re-polish your marble. Etching is when an ingredient damages the stone, “eating” the surface.

Daily Procedures

The most famous finishes for marble countertops are honed and polished finish. A polished finish is when the surface looks shiny; a honed finish looks matte. Etching marks look more noticeable on a polished finish than on a honed finish.

If you prepare your food on a marble countertop, you will need to wipe any spills immediately and avoid putting ingredients directly on the marble. Always use coasters and under plates. Marble tolerates heat, but it is recommended to protect the surface from hot pans and pots, so it doesn’t stain the stone. After each meal, clean up any residues that might be on the table so it doesn’t stain or etch.

#3 Sealing- Always protect your marble!

Sealants are applied to the surface of your countertop as a protective barrier to help avoid stains and other exterior factors that might affect the stone’s look. If you leave, for example, a wine spill overnight, it will be difficult to remove even with a sealant. The sealant only gives you a little more time to clean the stone. You can ask your marble supplier to apply a proper sealant when delivering the final piece- usually, most do.

However, sealants tend to fade away over time, depending on the type of sealing, it usually lasts up to three to four years. After that period, you can ask professionals to re-seal or you can re-apply yourself at home. Nowadays, you can find affordable sealants online to apply directly to your countertops. First, you clean your countertop with the mix of mild soap and warm water; after scrubbing, carefully scrape the existing sealant with a proper tool; and dry the surface well enough, apply the sealant as the instructions follow.

In summary, having a marble countertop has its ups and downs, but at the end of the day, you choose a forever material to your home that will give you character and a piece of nature into your home. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

April 23, 2021

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Sivec and Thassos: what is the difference?

Location

Sivec and Thassos are two different but very similar white marbles. They are quarried in different countries but not far from each other.

Sivec is quarried in Macedonia, near the town of Prilep (green circle) and Thassos is quarried from the Thassos Island on the North part of Greece (yellow circle). Both these marbles are clear white and have been used for thousands of years. In this article, we are going to find out their differences.

Art and White Marble

Marble has been around for years and its influence on art has survived until today. We associate marble with exclusivity and luxurious architecture. Having white marble in your project is one of the most exquisite materials you can have- its purity and richness represent the union of refinement luxury with durability. Greek and Roman civilization gave humanity some of the most extraordinary marble sculptures and monuments. One of them is The Parthenon, Greece’s most know historic building; another is The Temple of Ártemis, made with 127 marble columns, with 18 meters of height and 2 meters of diameter. These are some Greek examples, that survived the arise and fall of many civilizations and wars. But, all around the world, we can find amazing pieces that use marble, especially white marble.

Sivec or Thassos?

Sivec

Sivec is quarried in Macedonia. This marble, although form Macedonia, is believed to be used in Greece since ancient times. This exquisite white marble might have some grey variation in the background, depending on the block. Also, depending on the block part it is cute, it can have small veining, not like Carrara or Calacatta, but smaller and more spacious light grey veining. It has almost no grains or crystals.
Sivec is not like most marbles- it has a high degree of hardness and high durability. For this reason, it is appropriate for a wide range of areas, including high traffic surfaces.

Thassos

Thassos is originally from Greece. It is believed that Ancient Greek structures were made from this white marble. This luxurious and pure dolomitic marble has a uniform background, resembling little imperfections- the whiter, the purest.
It usually has no veining, although in some cases, it can have small grey graining and even crystals. These crystals, give the marble a shiny look, especially when exposed to sunlight.
This is one of the most expensive marbles on the market, due to its purest clean white colour. It can be applied in most interior areas, but it is not recommended to exterior surfaces or areas with a lot of traffic.

Application

In general, white marbles can be used for either interior or exterior applications. Although Sivec is slightly harder than Thassos, we do not recommend either to exterior applications. These white materials can be easily stained with sunlight or general exterior factors- such as pollution or dust. Some sealants can be used, and regular maintenance can help to reduce these effects, but usually, they are not worth the risk of exposing such a noble material to these types of factors.

On other hand, if white marble is being used in interior spaces, we can appreciate and improve its qualities, adjusting light and surrounding materials. We can k sure it is the centrepiece in every interior design project. Its beauty should be appreciated closely and detailed. So, applications such as interior cladding, furniture, fireplaces, bathtubs, sinks, flooring with medium traffic, art pieces and others are the most appropriate use for either Sivec and Thassos.

Like most marbles, Sivec and Thassos allow most finishes, except those that wear the stone and leave them thinner and with a bigger risk of breaking.

Source:
1. Minexco
2. Albora

March 24, 2021

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Sustainability and limestone waste

Although natural stone is not usually discardable by the end of its lifetime (due to its extended durability), our main goal as a natural stone manufacturer is to give back what nature gives us. We think in a Su(stone)ble way and recycle all our waste and re-use our resources the best we can.

Our recycling system is organized to allow the complete reuse of stone, letting what once was considered waste for our company to be reborn as a raw material to other industries.

Assuring Sustainability

Today more than yesterday! At a time when the world has increasingly limited natural resources, it is important to review our habits and search for more ecological and sustainable solutions.

Our circular economy (CE) proposes resource-efficient management of resources throughout “an industrial system that is restorative by intention and design”.

At LSI Stone we think positive, we think GREEN.

At LSI Stone we think green. Our circular economy (CE) proposes resource-efficient management of resources throughout “an industrial system that is restorative bye intention and design”.

The natural stone industry generates a large volume of stone waste. It is classified in various forms such as powder or fines, aggregates, larger stone pieces and cobbles, damaged blocks or slabs.

Due to the huge amounts of stone waste generated in generation sources and plants, vast sums of money spent on its transportation to landfills. Besides the accumulation of waste in landfills is also a pressing problem for many businesses, from an economic perspective. Further, if waste must be disposed of off-site, landfill fees can create additional cost.

Here are 10 best practices and sustainable ideas for the use of limestone waste generated by the processing operations:

Cement Production

The production of cement, usually white, is another alternative for the route of our waste. It is usually more associated with the “paste” resulting from the stone process, than the stone itself.

Massive Bricks

A simple and smart way to reuse stone waste is to create massive bricks with a rustic finish. Aesthetically it can give a wonderful look to a wall, very different from the traditional wall. It has numerous advantages; requires less maintenance, have greater durability, and it is easier to apply and build. It is a more resistant product than the traditional brick, and we can reuse a natural product with no transformation. The image below shows a wall in our company, built by us.

Roads

Depending on the method of production and application of tar, used by road builders, limestone can be used in the construction of it. Thus avoiding further excavations to obtain a raw material that is already available in a large majority of stone companies. With this, companies can reduce costs, avoiding the landscape destruction of a new location and, consequently, a reduction of the CO2 emission that all this process of extraction and transport would imply.

Glass Production

Another smart way to give a new life to waste is through the production of glass, which in some circumstances can use limestone.

Products Pigmentation

Incredible as it may seem, limestone can be used to give pigmentation to the most diverse products that we all have in our homes. Products like paper, plastic, toothpaste, paints, tiles, often use limestone to give a lighter colour to the final product.

Building Construction

In the construction area, it is often necessary to use other materials to flatten the surface of the place where the construction will be carried out. It is usual to add different layers to the ground, being limestone waste one of them. This option is cheaper and equally effective as any other, and certainly the most sustainable one.

Soil Acidity Conditioner

The huge amounts of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere generate serious consequences on the environment, being acid rain one of them. When these rains fall on the soil, it makes them unsuitable for cultivation due to their high acid Ph.
Using pulverized limestone as a soil acidity conditioner restore the Ph balance and reactivates the soil to be proper for cultivation.

Animal Breeding

Limestone has a very important role in animal breeding, more particularly in granivorous birds, such as chickens. These animals usually ingest small stones to help crush the food during the digestion process, which helps avoids certain animal health problems, which will consequently decrease the occurrence of deaths.

Source of Calcium

The rate of purification present on limestone allows it to be added to consumable goods. For example, it can be added to bread or cereals as an important source of calcium. It contributes to our health by helping control blood acidity, hormone level or blood clotting, and also to strengthen our bones.

Water Additive

Finally, when it comer to water purity, limestone can be used for remineralizing and increasing the alkalinity of purified water.
In order to prevent pipe corrosion and restore essential nutrient levels, limestone is one of the very important natural stones that create that effect.

Benefits of Waste Management

1.

Improved health and safety: decreasing the number of scrap piles, airborne particulates, and general trash creates a healthier and safer environment for employees.

2.

Reduces storage, transport and disposal costs: with less waste to store and transport, the costs of handling waste are diminished. Landfill fees are avoided and combustible expenses are reduced.

3.

Potential generation of revenue: scrap stone and other waste products and waste by products can be sold on an array of markets, from agriculture to construction, creating a secondary company revenue stream.

4.

Increased efficiency: Decreasing the amount of material lost during the quarrying, crushing and cutting processes increases company efficiency and the quantity of profitable product. In effect, the company sees a heftier return for every ton of product sold.

5.

Enhancement of company reputation: comprehensive, proactive waste management practices can result in not only a socially responsible reputation but in greater community acceptance of the quarrying operation.

March 15, 2021

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Differences between Calacatta, Arabescatto and Carrara

Marble History

– Some may call it the divine stone.

Marble is a mineral that is made up of calcite (calcium carbonate, CaCo3). Marble comes from dolostone (limestone with dolomite) or limestone. It is a non-foliated (cannot be broken into layers) metamorphic rock that is white when pure and is stronger than the rock from which it forms (parent rock- usually limestones). Due to chemical impurities in the parent rock, marble can take on colors such as green, pink or black. Similarly to limestones, marbles are sensitive to etching and staining, so its finish must be in accord to the type of surface is being applied on.

Marble stones have been used all around Italy since the Ancient Rome time. The most used marbles are Calacatta, Arabescato and Carrara. These three marbles are present in a lot of sculptures and monuments not only in Italy but around the world, such as Michelangelo’s David statue in Florence, Kind Edward VII memorial in the UK and the George Washington Statue on display at the National Museum of American History.

The reason why most of history’s great masterpieces and representations of prestigious people are made with Italian marble, specially Carrara is because it represents greatness, divinity and eternity.

“The etymology of the word marble comes from the Greek marmairein or of the Latin marmor and means the stone of quality or white stone 5 . Thus the denomination, by including the term “quality” refers to something superior, distinctive.”

-Marble the Divine Stone by EXTRAEXPO.

Geology Behing Marble

In geological terms, marble is a metamorphic and crystalline carbonated rock composed by calcite crystals or dolomite. This composition results in a recrystallization that creates the separation between limestone and marble. Due to high pressure and high temperatures from inside the subsolo, limestones turn into marble. Due to chemical impurities in the parent rock, marble can take on colors such as green, pink or black.

As for these specific marbles they are -geologically speaking- all the same because they all come from the same region and so, it can be difficult to distinguish them.

Get to Know the Stone

Carrara

Carrara marble is extracted from the Carrara area in Tuscany, Italy. The look of Carrara marble is very common in countertop kitchens style. It has white to grey milder markings and usually a grey veining with a white and sometimes grayish background. The background can also tend toward blue-gray, and the patterning is usually soft and looks like feathers. When compared to other marbles, the Carrara is more subtil and homogeneous. It is usually applied in wall panels, stairways, countertops or flooring, besides the historic monumentos and statues such as Michelangelo’s David and London’s Marble Arch.

Calacatta

Calacatta usually has a pure white background with dramatic and define veins. It does not follow a linear pattern or type of veining. This marble is quarried in Carrara (is from the Carrara family) as well and has a wider range of veining color from gold to brown to beige to dark gray. Is very common at homes that feel more luxurious using whiter marble. It is consider one of the most luxurious and pure marbles. Its pattern has more contrast than Carrara. It is applied as an elegant element for either flooring, countertops or art pieces. It is usually applied in wall panels, stairways, countertops or flooring.

Arabescatto

We can say that Arabescatto is between Carraca and Calacatta. It has a very white background and dark grey veining. Its veining is not as defined and big as calacatta. Arabescato is quarried from the area of Luca in Tuscany Italy. How to identify Arabescato? It has Dark grey veins extremely dark comparing to the white background; It has a crystalline white color interval in-between.

These marbles can have variations. For example, a sample of Carrara sometimes is not true to the real slab- nature can not be measured. We recommend you search for projects that use all of these three marbles to see its application to see which one fits your project the best.

Which marble is best for my project?

When choosing one of these three amazing marbles you need to understand the area you are going to use them. Each slab is unique and naturally imperfect, so it is normal if color and pattern does not match completely.

Aesthetically speaking, for example, when applying on a kitchen top we recommend using arabescatto instead of calacatta, only because on an extensive area such as this one, the larger veining in the slabs are more likely to coincide than the calacatta ones that have more and thin veining.

When it comes to price, it may vary accordingly to the supplier. However, out of the three marbles, Calacatta and Arabescatto are the most expensive and Carrara is usually slightly cheaper. The slabs are not the only price you should worry about you need to make sure you don’t forget about installation and maintenance costs.

If you are worried about stains being too noticeable, opt for a marble with a less whiter background, such as Carrara. Certain marbles are the combination of one of these three, for example, there is a marble called Arabescatto Carrara that is a combination of dusty grays and soft whites that combine an amazing pattern. This could also be a better option to apply in areas with more probability of etching or staining, making these incidents less noticeable.

Calacatta marble is the most searched one, due to its wide range of price, patterns and colors. So you need to be careful when choosing for the “true” calacatta stone. The whiter the background and the more define the veining, the more expensive it is.

Maintenance

Marble has a higher maintenance than most natural stones due to its high porosity. Usually marble does not vary a lot when it comes to this factor, however some marbles require more maintenance than others- click here to see our article. It stains very easily and is not acid-resistant, so it needs to be sealed regularly to prevent it from become etched or stained by substances such as red wine, tomato sauce or lemon juice.

Why choose marble?

No matter the style of your kitchen or the colors of your bathroom, marble will always be a statement piece that fits every project. Marble is an intemporal traditional, classic and elegant stone all at the same time.

Each piece is unique in color, pattern and veining, so your search for the perfect countertop or the most luxurious bathroom is more diverse that one may think. Due to its natural irregularities it is normal for two pieces of stone to not look the same. This makes having a piece of marble at your home even more special and unique.

If you are looking for a luxurious and elegant material, you can choose from the three most classic marbles of all time- Carrara, Calacatta or Arabescato.

We can help you find it!

February 19, 2021

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