GRANITE

Granite is a common and widely occurring type of rock. Granites are usually medium to coarsely crystalline, and are formed from magma (melted rock).

Granites can be pink to dark gray or even black, depending on their chemistry and mineralogy, and virtually all colors in between. It can have color waves very similar to marble.

Granites are extremely hard and virtually impossible to scratch or stain; they make superb table surfaces. At Tabur Design we use granite extensively in our handcrafted custom stone tables

MARBLE

Marble is a "Metamorphic rock" rock resulting from the metamorphism of limestone, composed mostly of calcite, a crystalline form of calcium carbonate. This metamorphic process causes a complete recrystallization of the original rock into an interlocking mosaic. Pure white marble is the result of metamorphism of very pure limestone. The characteristic swirls and veins of many colored marble varieties are usually due to various mineral impurities such as clay, silt, sand, iron oxides, or chert which were originally present as grains or layers in the limestone. Marble makes a fine table surface, but it needs proper care; spills should be wiped up immediately, and coasters should always be used. Marble is especially susceptible to damage from citric acids (e.g. orange juice), alcohols and oils.

TRAVERTINE

Travertine is a sedimentary rock and is a natural chemical precipitate of carbonate minerals. When pure, travertine is white, but often is brown to yellow due to impurities. It is sometimes known as travertine limestone, sometimes as travertine marble; these are the same stone, even though it is neither limestone nor marble. The stone is characterised by pitted holes and troughs in its surface. Although these troughs occur naturally, they suggest to some eyes that considerable wear and tear has occurred over many years. It can be effectively polished to a smooth, shiny finish and comes in a variety of colors from grey to coral-red.

ONYX

Onyx is a cryptocrystalline form of quartz. The colors of its bands range from white to almost every color (not including shades such as purple, blue, or black). Commonly, specimens of onyx available contain colors of white, tan, and brown. Sardonyx is a variant in which the colored bands are sard (shades of red) rather than black. Onyx is translucent and has been used with lighting to create many special effects.