Different Types of Natural Stone

Stone Tiles

Stone is the natural choice for homemakers. Its subtleties of natural colour can never be too dull or too vivid and inspire confidence by this very nature, always finding harmony with changing styles and colour schemes. Our marble and travertine mosaics have finishes designed to both pleasure the touch and enhance the quality of light as it is absorbed or reflected by their surfaces.

The lasting impression limestone will create depends on where and how you use it. First think of the place, then choose either a fine or rustic finish to the stone. Next, how the overall effect might be contrasted or supplemented with differently coloured stone, inset patterns or borders. The extraordinary range of options offered by limestone has ensured its popularity in virtually every area of domestic life for thousands of years - witness the entrances, atriums and dining rooms at Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Marble

Marble's characteristics make it an excellent choice of stone for flooring, equally appropriate in home or office settings: Marble is a perfect solution to complement everything from a modern entrance hall or office atrium to a luxurious conservatory or bathroom. Marble's classic property of the diffuse light the stone reflects is ideal for both calm lighting (especially candlelight) in the evening and for bright sunlight during the day. Naturally-occurring patterns in the stone create subtle decorative effects which will be entirely unique and thus highly individual.

Marble has long been associated with classical architecture having been used in temples, palaces and churches across continents, cultures and religions. Its light hues, slight translucence and unique, delicate patterns lend it the sophisticated qualities which have kept it so sought after down the centuries. Marble has become a cultural symbol of tradition and refined taste. Its extremely varied and colorful patterns make it a favourite decorative material
Soft limestones re-crystallise under conditions of moderate amounts of heat and pressure, such heating is provided by burial to the warm depths of the Earth. This re-crystallisation (an alteration in the texture of the calcite crystals that make up the rock) is the most important change in the formation of marbles. The actual process of transformation of limestone to marble involves an increase in the sizes of the crystals present and the infilling of any pore spaces present in the original rock. Small amounts of new minerals may grow from any impurities in the original rock, resulting in coloured streaks and veins.

Travertine

Sometimes known as travertine limestone, sometimes as travertine marble, it is in fact neither limestone nor marble, but a separate formation of calcite. The stone is characterised by slight imperfections in its cream-coloured surface which create delicate, fascinating patterns in a finished, polished surface. The slight, subtle variations in hue create light, smooth, textured surfaces, suited to floors throughout homes and offices.

Use of Travertine in architecture has notable examples in ancient and modern times. Two famous structures have made extensive use of its strength and beauty: the magnificent circus in Rome, the Coloseum; and the modern, sprawling Getty Center in Los Angeles, California
Travertine, similar to limestone, is comprised primarily of calcium carbonate and is a smooth and porous stone characterized by its rich creamy hue. Small amounts of new minerals may grow from any impurities in the original rock, resulting in coloured streaks and veins giving rise to variations in colour and appearance from light creams and beiges to walnut.
Tiles are cut from blocks either vein-cut or cross-cut to produce a different and appealing, surface appearance. Travertine tiles are marketed either with the holes unfilled for a more rustic and antique look, or the holes are filled with a tinted epoxy resin and honed to give the surface a solid effect. The stone is used in a wide range of interior applications, including floor and wall tiles

Mosaics

The variation in tone and pattern enable Athena natural stone tiles to complement any interior design. Most common uses in modern homes are geometric patterns which evoke the traditional and classical designs of Persian and Ancient Greek architecture. Modern homes also follow in the footsteps of the Great Roman Empire and depict scenes or still images in mosaic forms for a personal and highly unique touch. Athena Stone Tiles are available in a variety of light, subtle tones and finishes; so your mosaic tiled floor can be truly unique and a source of constant fascination

Mosaic art dates back to ancient times, with examples found in the far east and middle eastern cultures. Islamic architecture used mosaic to create elaborate geometric designs (a process known as zillij or qashani).
Mosaic floors are associated widely with Roman architecture, across the area dominated by the Roman Empire 2000 years ago; Roman architecture used geometric designs but also developed the tradition to represent images. This tradition for depicting scenes or stories on walls and ceilings was continued by Christian architecture in the building of basilicas and churches since the 4th Century AD. The most notable examples of these were to be seen in the Byzantine empire