06.07.2022

Marble and granite are two popular natural stones which have been in the construction industry for a long time. They both have their advantages over each other in terms of appearance, durability etc. some of which have been listed below:
“Marble” is a term used by geologists to refer to metamorphosed limestone. It is a metamorphic rock composed of carbonate materials which is formed when limestone in the earth’s crust is subjected to high temperature and pressure. This causes the stone to undergo a metamorphosis stage where the calcite in the limestone recrystallizes and forms calcite crystals changing the texture of the rock. As the metamorphosis stage progresses the crystals become larger and can be seen as interlocking crystals even by unaided eyes.

Among all natural stone marble is the most elegant and luxurious stone. It is also highly versatile as it can be used in flooring, ornamental furnishings, fireplace and bathrooms. Just like any other natural stone marble comes in a variety of colors ranging from milky white to red and black which is the result of impurities present in the stone’s structure. The impurities are in bands which increase the elegance of the stone. However, since marble is made of calcite crystals which is a salt of calcium, marble is prone to staining especially from liquids which are acidic in nature due to which it is usually not recommended to install marble for exposed places like commercial kitchens.

Granite is a granular igneous rock which has a phaneritic texture, it is formed by the slow crystallization of the magma under the surface of the earth. Many items that we encounter in our daily activities especially in big cities where pavers, floor tiles and cemetery monuments are made from granite. Many famous places like Mount Rushmore, Yosemite Valley and Torres del Paine in Chile are granite hubs.

Granite is mainly composed of quarts and feldspars, it is coarse grained and usually in light colors. It has been in use extensively since the ancient times for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Comparison Between Granite and Marble
Hardness and longevity: Granite is comparatively harder and stronger than marble. It is mostly known as the most durable natural stone and compared to marble. It is resistant to heat and can easily withstand hot cookware therefore it is perfect for kitchen tops. Marble is also susceptible to fading of color and becoming duller overtime. Unlike the stains which can be removed, a dulled marble has no way getting its shine back. It is an irreversible process and a major drawback of marble.

Reactivity to Acidic substance:Both natural stones have a porous structure but the metamorphic attributes of marble makes it more porous and therefore marble is easily stained from spills especially from liquids that are acidic in nature like fruit juices and wines. On the other hand, granite is much more resilient towards stains as long as an effective sealant is maintained on the surface liquid spills will not permeate into the surface.

Appearance: The appearances of both marble and granite is quite different from each other. Granite’s color variation appears as freckling throughout the stone because granite has meddled stones in it like feldspar, mica and amphibole.Marble, on the other hand, has a grayish or cream color with veins running through it. The veins in marble are usually due to impurities like iron oxide.
Applications:The durable quality of granite makes it appropriate for kitchen countertops and hallways where there is high foot activity while marble is more apt for areas where there is less traffic like bathrooms. Marble gives a bright unique look and is suitable for surfaces that are used less frequently.

Cost:Granite and marble both are to be installed by professionals as the slabs are really heavy. The approximate cost for both marble and granite is $50 to $100 however high end granite is cheaper than its counterpart marble. The actual price however depends on the quality of the stone, complexity of the job and the style of the tiles.

Maintenance:Sealants are used on both granite and marble to prevent staining and etching. Marble requires sealing much more frequently i.e. twice a year (recommended by professionals) whereas for granite sealing once every two years is sufficient. The actual requirement for resealing depends on how heavily the surface was used and how regularly the stone’s cleaning was done.

Quartz Crystal Meaning and Properties
Quartz crystal was once believed to be an eternal ice sent by the heavenly gods. Until the late 1500s, many scholars thought this stone was fossilized ice. Quartz crystal is actually a mineral, one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's continental crust, composed of silicon and oxygen.
Quartz can be icy clear or have inclusions, veils, bubbles and various colors. It is also known as rock crystal, crystal quartz, universal crystal or clear quartz.

People in the earliest recorded times believed in the magical powers of quartz. Ancient Roman, Egyptian and Greek civilizations used quartz crystals as potent talismans. The word quartz is thought to come from the German word "quarz," and the word crystal comes from the Greek word "krystallos," which means ice.

The Ancient Japanese believed quartz formed from the breath of a white dragon, and regarded it as representing perfection. Quartz has been used throughout history in rain rituals, crystal skulls and spheres for crystal balls to predict the future since the middle ages.

Once thought to be eternal ice sent by the gods, quartz crystal is actually a mineral that is prized by many for magical, mystical and implied metaphysical powers. Learn more about this storied gemstone, its believed properties and how to incorporate it into jewelry designs with this video.

Tombstone, Gravestone, or Headstone? What's the Difference?
When autumn begins in the northern hemisphere, people often decorate their businesses and homes to get ready for Halloween. The National Retail Federation says Americans will spend a whopping $3.2 billion on Halloween decorations this year, so as you can imagine (or as you may have seen in your own neighborhood) these decorations can be quite elaborate. You often see mummies, witches, skeletons, spiders, jack-o-lanterns, black cats, cobwebs, ghosts, and tombstones. Or are they headstones? Or gravestones? Is there a difference? Does it even matter?

The words tombstone and gravestone used to refer to large stone slabs that served as a lid for a tomb or covering for a grave. They might have had engravings on them, but their purpose was to secure a deceased body in a tomb or in the ground. "Gravestone" is the older word, being used from the late 1300s, and "tombstone" is from the mid-1500s. A headstone, as the word implies, referred to a grave marker placed at the head of a grave. It's the newest of the three words, arising in 1676, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Today, the words tombstone, gravestone, and headstone are often used interchangeably to refer to stone grave markers of any size or style. Regardless of which term you use, all three words refer to something made of stone that marks where someone is or will be buried. Sometimes cemeteries have grave markers showing where people who are still alive will be buried someday, but most grave markers indicate where someone has already been buried. So, whether they are being used to designate the location of a present grave or future grave, all three words—"tombstone," "headstone," and "gravestone"—refer to the same thing: a burial site with a marker made of stone.

Other words are also used to refer to grave markers. For example, the word "monument" is a common term for something marking an individual grave or a family plot containing multiple graves. In some cemeteries, it is common to see a large monument with a family’s name on it surrounded by smaller grave markers for the family members who are or will be buried there. Some gravesites also have a footstone, which, as the word implies, is a stone marker placed at the foot of a grave. Footstones are usually smaller and have fewer engravings than markers placed at the head of a grave. In some areas, such as New Orleans, Louisiana or in the famous Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina, you will also see aboveground vaults where bodies are interred. These elaborate resting places are also sometimes called tombs or mausoleums.

What is artificial stone?
Artificial stone, which is also called casted stone, is constructed from cement, sand , and natural aggregate such as crushed stone. it is possible to provide certain surface textures to artificial stones. Sometimes, specific pigments used to achieve certain color. The addition of pigments shall not exceed 15% by volume. Artificial stone can be cast into complicated and considerably detailed forms and various sizes can be manufactured. Added to that, it can be reinforced to increase strength. Finally, it is worth mentioning that artificial stones are casted easily and economically.

Artificial stone or cast stone will be used for construction when cost effective and durable natural stone cannot be achieved.

Different types of artificial stones along with their constituent materials and applications will be discussed briefly.

It is also called chemical stone which its compression strength is at least 32 MPa. Ransom stone is manufactured by blending silica soda with cement to provide fancy and ornamental flooring.

Concrete blocks are used for the construction of steps, window, sills, and piers. It is cased in the construction site.

It is constructed from Portland gypsum cement and sand using either precast or cast in situ technique. For precast production technique, the casted artificial marble will be stripped from the mould after three days and then treated with liquid fluorite of magnesia solution at the age of five days. After that, the stone is washed and wrapped with paper for 24 hours and treated again with the same solution, and it will be polished at the final stage at the age of 30days. For in situ construction method, layer of prepared mixture is placed on a canvas, and the thickness of the layer shall be 1.5 mm greater than the required thickness of the stone to be constructed. The surface of the laid layer is rubbed and then polished properly.

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