Natural stone varieties - All types of stone in our encyclopedia

Natural stones always exude a very special magic, which is why they are extremely popular in modern interiors, both indoors and outdoors. The following natural stone encyclopedia provides everything worth knowing on the subject, so that all the necessary information is known before deciding on a particular type of natural stone, which will henceforth provide an extraordinary ambience in your own four walls.

Natural stones - What is to be understood by it?

Natural stone is generally referred to in the economic context as the type of stone that can also be found in nature. If processing of the natural stone takes place by machines or manually by hand, it is called a natural stone plant. For centuries, natural stone has already been one of the most durable building materials known to man. So it is hardly surprising that natural stone is still used in many ways, both outdoors and indoors. In modern kitchens, the countertops are made of granite, in the bathroom, the natural stones act as a shower wall or luxurious washbasin. In the garden, the natural stones become walls or terrace slabs, in the living area a representative staircase. The range of natural stone is extremely diverse. A large part of the natural stones, which are used today in Europe, come thereby from Brazil, South Africa, China or India.

Granite

Granite is a magmatic, massive deep rock, which is also called plutonite. The rock is relatively coarse crystalline and contains mainly quartz and feldspar. In addition, however, dark minerals, for example mica, are also found in the granite. Not all natural stones, which are offered under the trade name granite, actually belong to the real granites. Granite-like hard stones can also be offered under this designation. These are characterized by similar properties as the granites, because they are resistant to common household acids, weather-resistant, scratch-resistant and hard. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that granite is found in almost all areas of everyday life. Depending on the particular drawing, structure and coloring, the effect of granite can be exceedingly elegant and expressive.

Gneiss

Gneiss is a metamorphic rock, which was formed under very high pressure at high temperatures. Gneiss also consists mostly of feldspar and quartz. It also contains a very small amount of so-called minor constituents, such as mica. Gneiss is often traded under the name granite, as it strongly resembles it in its technical properties. Gneiss is quarried in many different places around the world and then processed into cleavers, chippings, window sills or countertops.

Migmatite

Migmatite forms a truly special feature among metamorphic rocks. The minerals of the original rock melt partially or even completely due to the very high temperatures of the environment. First, the minerals with a relatively low melting point, such as quartz or feldspar, melt. In the course of the subsequent solidification process, a new rock is formed that is characterized by changed properties. The veining of migmatites, which are often offered as granite, turns out exceedingly vivid, which is why they are often used for decorative natural stone work, for example, for window sills or countertops.

Gabbro

Gabbro is a black to dark gray igneous rock that is characterized by a very compact and dense stone structure. Often gabbro is also offered in the trade under the name granite, since both types of stone are hard rocks. Gabbro is mainly processed into crushed stone or chippings in the natural stone industry. In addition, however, window sills and countertops are also made from the stone.

Syenite

Another plutonite, i.e. a magmatic deep rock, is syenite. This contains a very high proportion of feldspars, especially alkali feldspar. Compared to granite, however, the proportion of quartz is relatively low. In addition, syenite also contains other different secondary constituents. Syenite is found in many countries of the world. Nowadays, high-quality natural stone products made of syenite, such as window sills and countertops, are particularly in demand. The most popular types of syenite are Labrador Emerald Pearl and Labrador Blue Pearl from Norway.

Quartz Diorite

. The quartz content of quartz diorite ranges from about five to twenty percent. However, the feldspars form the most important components of the dark, magmatic deep rock, which are supplemented by various minor components. Like gabbro, for example, quartz diorite is also frequently traded under the designation granite. Used the quartz diorite both for interior finishing and for landscaping, for example, in the form of patio slabs, paving stones, palisades, wall stones, wall copings, curbs or block steps.

Granulite

Granulite is a metamorphic rock, which is formed at very high temperatures and a tremendous impact of pressure. Mainly, the granulite consists of feldspar and quartz. Different from the granite, however, additionally contains garnet, which is characterized by brown-red crystals. Especially popular nowadays are window sills and countertops made of granulite, which is found in many different countries around the world.

Cordierite rock

. Cordierite rock, a metamorphic rock, is also formed under high temperatures and great pressure. By the name addition "rock" a group of metamorphic rocks is designated, whose secondary components - here the cordierite - dominate with the composition. Cordierite rock Tan Brown, mined in India, is often used for window sills and countertops and enjoys a particularly high popularity.

Marble

. Primarily a metamorphic rock, marble is formed from limestone under high pressure and high temperatures. Marble consists of large proportions of dolomite and calcite. The secondary components form a variety of minerals that are responsible for the coloring of marble. The color spectrum of marble is extremely broad and ranges from translucent, pure white to pastel shades and black. Marble is mined in many places around the world and has been an extremely popular building material since ancient times. Marble is processed in the natural stone industry, for example, into decorative gravel and chippings, but also into high-quality natural stone products, such as window sills or vanity tops. Particularly frequently used and popular types of marble represent the Italian Carrara CD and Palissandro Classico.

Limestone

. Limestone is a sedimentary rock that contains mostly calcite. Limestones were formed in many cases from dead organisms, for example snails, shells, corals and fossils of other plants and animals. The shades of limestones range from intense browns, reds or greens to light pastel colors. Many different natural stone products are made from limestone, such as window sills, vanity tops, wall stones, boulders, gabion fillings or decorative gravel. The particularly popular Jura Gray and Jura Yellow limestone comes from Germany. Fig.: No-longer-here/pixabay.com