Materials
Marble
Greek:
marmairō - "sparkle", "shine" is a medium hardness fine
granular limestone, which is mainly composed of calcite. As a result of
metamorphosis marble has formed by converging of small limestone crystals into
bigger ones. This composition when polished allows obtaining glassy surface.
Used mainly for indoor decoration.
Granite
Latin:
granum - "grain" is a crystalline rock of volcanic origin, which consists
of feldspars (40-60%), quartz (25-50%) and colorful metals (up to 15%). Granite
is solider, harder and less porous than marble. Granite stone comes in many
different shades of colors. It may be used for kitchen working surfaces,
bathroom surfaces and floors, and particularly for intensively used places. It
is the most popular material of kitchen working surfaces. Granite is freeze
resistant, thereby suited for outdoor decoration.
Onyx
Latin: onyx - "nail'', or marble onyx consists of concentric calcite or aragonite layers, which have precipitated in cold water in caves, clefts and near underground wellspring openings. Marble onyx depending on its composition and origin is closer to marble than to the real onyx. The real onyx is a subtype of Chalcedon and consists mainly from silica. Marble onyx formerly was called “alabaster”, while nowadays alabaster is named after marble onyx.
Travertine
Originally:
tiburtinus or tivertino – Roman name of Tivole. It is a porous subtype of
limestone. Holes and recessions in its surface are characteristic features of
travertine. These recessions in its surface can be filled with special mastic
or left unfilled. Travertine comes in many different shades of colors from grey
to coral red.