Natural stones are any sort of stone that can be found on the continental crust of the Earth, which is the outermost layer of our planet. Natural stones can be found in a variety of colours and patterns. As the formation of these materials took place over the course of a lengthy and complex process that spanned millions of years, it should not come as a surprise the sheer volume of different types of stones that can be found in nature. These stones range from precious ones that are displayed in jewellery stores to the polished ones that we step on, on a daily basis. Independent Marble Factory is the most reliable natural stone supplier Dubai. As a prominent natural stone supplier Abu Dhabi, we will assist you in obtaining the finest granite at an affordable price. Our stone is of great quality and reasonably priced. We’ve been in business for a long time and have an excellent reputation in the market. Today, our firm is quickly growing as a result of its strong dedication to customer service, innovation, and quality.
This classification is determined by how the stone was formed over the course of the years – or millennia – and provides us with interesting and valuable insights into the characteristics of that particular natural stone. The three primary types of natural stone that can be found on earth are igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.
1. Igneous Stones
Igneous stones obtained their high density, limited porosity, and quite a bit of toughness as a result of the cooling and solidification of molten lava, also known as magma. This process was responsible for their formation. Granite, basalt, bluestone, and porphyry are the three varieties of igneous rocks that are most often seen.
Pitting is a common feature of bluestone’s surface, which is evidence of the formation process that led to the formation of the stone. The pitting results from the capture of gas bubbles by the lava as it cools.
2. Sedimentary Stones
Sandstone, travertine, and limestone are all types of sedimentary stones. Limestone is another example. This indicates that they were created over an extended period of time by the deposition and subsequent cementation of layers of mineral and organic particles.
Sandstone, as the name suggests, is mostly formed by sand size particles and has a characteristic amber-tan to peachy-red colour, whereas limestone, which is mainly formed by mollusc skeletons, tends to have a light colour and display little nicks and shells through its texture. Because the components that form these stones can range from sand and mud to coral or mollusc skeletons, their overall appearance can be quite varied.
3. Metamorphic Stones
The transformation of one kind of stone into another, distinct type of stone is referred to as the process of metamorphism. The precursor stone that gives rise to a metamorphic stone could have been an igneous or sedimentary rock or even an earlier metamorphic rock. Marble, slate, and quartz are all examples of stones that have undergone metamorphism.
For example, marble is formed from limestone that has been subjected to this process in the past. The white varieties of marble result from the metamorphism of extremely pure limestone, while the veined varieties are formed by impurities such as clay, sand, or iron oxide that were originally present as grains or layers in the precursor limestone.
The sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash that has been subjected to metamorphism often gives rise to slate. Slate is another form of metamorphic stone.