QUARRIED MATERIALS

Application and cost can vary enormously, between even similar materials. We
can guide you to the most appropriate.

The following is a brief guide to some of the types of material we regularly use, there are numerous sub-divisions to each, their names often descriptive or related to localities
of source.

IGNEOUS ROCKS.
Granite and ‘Gabbros’ ( commonly known as ‘Black Granite’).
This is an Original rock, alongside Basalt, which is composed of feldspar, mica and silica.
It is created by the cooling of molten rock or magma formed at the worlds creation.
Because rocks of this type are formed from molten material they cannot contain animal or plant fossil remnants, they do however contain striations and colourations due to the inclusion of varying mineral traces. Different geographical areas, where different minerals were present during the formation cycle, often impart their regional names to the particular patterning, texture and colouration of the stone.

This type of stone, due to its inherent hardness is usually used in a highly polished form, the mineral inclusion giving a range of crystalline dappled colours
The underlying hardness of the material and resilience against accidental spillages, combined with an impressive reflective quality, even in black, gives good results for heath and mantelpiece areas.

SEDIMENTARY ROCKS.
Sandstones / Grit-stones, Limestones & ‘Dolomitic’ - Magnesium Limestones.
These are Igneous rock debris, principally Silica (sand), reformed over vast geological time periods, by pressure into solid rock. Some types that were formed during later periods may incorporate various fossils of their period.
In actual fact Silica is harder than steel, however, the more calcium or iron oxide in the natural bond, the greater he care required in handling.
These generally do not naturally take a polish except for the finer limestones, but since the material is softer than igneous rocks it is more suitable for carving and sculpting into complex decorative shapes.

We have used hard sandstone often from Derbyshire for many of our hand carved stone fireplaces giving a pale sand colour which is relatively, ‘clean’ of variation and fossils.
Limestones such as Bathstone really work well even in simple designs by virtue of their visible fossil content. Bathstone has a textured open grain when compared to some of the marble-like Limestones.

METAMORPHIC ROCKS.
Marbles, Serpentines, Steatite, Slates
These are sedimentary rocks taken one stage further, they have been geologically altered by extremes of heat and pressure such as volcanic activity.

Marble again is present across the globe at a variety of locations, although white marble is classically associated with Greece and Italy ( ‘Carrara’ in particular).
Colours can vary immensely, but it is often veined or clouded.
Predominantly Marble is used in similar applications to granite.

Slate is naturally present in the Britain, it can be given a sheen by adding oils but not as a rule polished like marble. Caution needs to be exercised when slate is used that the edge is not exposed to damage which can cause the material to delaminate.

MAN-MADE MATERIALS

Agglomerates / Conglomerates
In addition to the naturally occurring forms there are occasions where man-made alternatives to naturally occurring stone may be more cost effective.

Since at least the seventeenth century, the Italians have exported ‘Scagliola’, formed from coloured plaster, isinglass and marble chips.
These early agglomerates led to the modern ‘micro-grain’ marbles of ground marble reformed in a binding agent to overcome the colour matching quirks of natural marble.