Be it travertine, limestone, marble or slate, natural stone literally embodies the richness and depth of the natural world. Buying natural stone means buying a product that is unique and matchless. Depending on the type of natural stone you buy, there will be a degree of variety in both the color and patterning that exists from one tile to the next. Take our product, Becagli Blend for example. This honed and unfilled travertine is a gorgeous blend of warm browns and almond hues with the occasional golden or cream-colored wave running through it. This variety in color is a desireable quality for natural stone lovers but is avoided by those who prefer greater consistency and predictability in their tile choice (for a more consistent tile option, choose ceramic or porcelain tile). I recommend asking the helpful experts at Statements, for a clear idea of how much range and variation to expect in your natural stone before purchasing it.

Much of our natural stone is mined from stone quarries in Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Peru and Turkey. One might assume that the magnitude of strength required to cut rock away from a mountainside, means that natural stone is indestructible. However, this is far from true. Although strong, natural stone (of all kinds), is porous and lacks the density, durability and strength that a man-made product like porcelain has. Because Natural stone is porous (with noticeable and/or microscopic holes throughout) it must be well sealed and maintained to avoid etching or water damage. I’ll post more detailed information on natural stone care soon, so stay tuned….

Here at Statements, we sell a variety of natural stone each with unique properties and recommended uses. Here is a brief run down on the types of natural stone you’ll find in our showroom:

Travertine: A type of crystalline limestone with a distinctive layered structure. Some layers contain pores and cavities, which create an open texture. Depending on the product you choose, the pores may be filled, (for a smooth and refined finish) or unfilled (for a pitted, rustic look and feel). Travertine is available in a variety of earth tones and is a popular stone for indoor flooring, walls and countertops.

Limestone: A softer, sedimentary rock that is composed mainly of the minerals calcite and dolomite. Generally limestone is less dense than granite and marble and more consistent in appearance. We recommend using limstone for indoor flooring and walls and light-use countertops. This product is not encouraged for kitchen countertop use.

Slate: A metamorphic rock commonly derived from shale. We carry a variety of colors with varying degrees of surface clefting. Slate is appropriate for indoor floor and wall applications and can be used outdoors only in covered areas to avoid freeze/thaw damage.

Granite: A visibly granular, igneous rock composed of quartz, mica and feldspar. It is the hardest architectural stone and is ideal for countertops and high-traffic areas.

Marble: A metamorphic rock possessing a unique crystalline texture and surface veining. Marble is primarily composed of calcite and dolomite singularly or in combination. Marble is typically softer than granite but is still appropriate for kitchen countertops and indoor wet or dry applications.