As importers and wholesalers, we have traveled the world over the past 25 years in pursuit of the finest stones available. We know the quarries from where the stone in our warehouses comes and we are knowledgeable about the variations in stones. Natural stone such as granite and marble are formed in the earth or in mountains and develop their unique qualities and characteristics from their mineral composition, combined with heat, pressure and chemical activity that happens as they are formed. It is these characteristics that determine a stone being categorized as granite, marble or quartzite.
Even within a stone category (e.g., granite) the specific composition of the granite may vary slightly from quarry to quarry and region to region. The beauty of natural stones is the variation we see over time, even among stones from the same quarry. It is an incredible feat of nature and makes granites, marbles and quartzites both beautiful and unique.
Though every stone – indeed, every slab – is unique, natural stones across stone types may resemble one another which can be especially confusing to those who don’t spend their days like we do, looking at stones, remarking on their beauty and seeking to properly define stone types and characteristics. One example is “hard marble” in some cases it may be a marble, but in other cases we determine it is a quartzite. If you love the stone, you may be less concerned with its technical categorization, but because these characteristics may affect care and appearance over time, we are focused on ensuring the stone is properly checked and categorized to indicate its qualities and characteristics.
To accurately categorize stones we display in our showrooms and on our website, we perform etch tests on samples of stones that are new to Boston Granite Exchange to categorize the stone as granite, marble, soapstone or quartzite. The etch test enables us to categorize stones; each natural stone reacts differently to this test.
Etching is the white marking that may result when acid touches a stone surface. The most common stone to etch is marble. Think about your kitchen… do you use citrus or vinegar in your cooking? Do you leave a bottle of wine on the countertop? These are the usual suspects when it comes to etching. In many European countries marble is prized for the way it ages; those marks from etching and stains contribute to the beauty of the stone over decades. We’ve seen examples of this in our travels and the aging patina of marble is truly beautiful. But it’s not for everyone.
We recently created a video of an etch test that compares quartz, marble, granite and quartzite using pure lemon juice.
As you look at stones for a new kitchen or other home project, keep in mind the value of resources who have the expertise and knowledge about the stones. At Boston Granite Exchange, we have travelled the world to meet and build relationships with our natural stone suppliers and can envision the quarry and the area from where the stone formed.
We encourage you to browse our website, explore the comparisons we provide of each stone type. Imagine the possibilities for your home and imagine the story that each stone could tell. We invite you to visit our showroom and see which stones speak to you. We hope to see you soon.