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Beauty Mark - A natural occurrence in granite or
marble where crystalline structure differs in size, color, or pattern from the
characteristics typically found in the material.
Bluestone - A dense, hard fine-grained commonly feldspathic
sandstone or siltstone of characteristic blue, gray, plum, and/or brown colors
that splits readily along original bedding planes to form thin slabs. Bluestone
is not a technical geological term, but is considered to be a variety of
flagstone. The term Bluestone has been applied particularly to sandstones of
Devonian age that is being or has been quarried in eastern New York and
Pennsylvania and in western New Jersey. Similar stones that occur elsewhere may
be included.
Commercial Definition: A hard sandstone of characteristic blue, gray, green,
and/or plum colors typically used for flagstone or dimensional stone.
Brownstone - A sandstone of characteristic brown
or reddish-brown color, which is a result of a prominent amount of iron oxide.
Coquina - A limestone composed predominantly of
unaltered shells or fragments of shells loosely cemented by calcite, generally
very coarse-textured with a high porosity. The term has been applied
principally to a very porous shell rock of Eocene age that has been quarried in
Florida.
Fieldstone - Stone separated from ledges by
natural processes and scattered through or upon the soil.
Fissure - A natural cleft in material (usually
marble or granite) with small visible lines on the surface of the polished slab
that does not usually impair structural integrity.
Flagstone - Thin slabs of stone used for patios,
sidewalks, walkways, etc. Thin stones from stratified deposits as well as thin
sawed mill ends are used for the same purpose. (Flagging)
Gneiss - A metamorphic rock corresponding in
composition to granite.
Granite - A term that includes granite (a fine to
coarse-grained igneous rock formed by volcanic action consisting of quartz,
feldspar, and mica, with accessory minerals), gneiss, gneissic granite, granite
gneiss and the rock species known to petrologists as syenite, monzonite, and
granodiorite, species intermediate between them, the gneissic varieties and
gneisses of corresponding mineralogic compositions and the corresponding
varieties of porphyritic textures. The term commercial granite also includes
other feldspathic crystalline rocks of similar textures, containing minor
amounts of accessory minerals, used for special decorative purposes.
Commercial definition - Granite is a fine to course grained igneous rock,
generally consisting of quartz, feldspar, and rock, formed by volcanic action
and cooled slowly under great pressure. It is the hardest building stone with a
very dense grain, making it virtually impervious to staining. It takes a highly
polished finish that will endure even in inclement environments. There is a
broad spectrum of granite colors ranging from nearly pure white to nearly pure
black. Granite may be infused with other minerals providing patterned
"movement" as well as color. Granite may also be quarried in highly consistent
grains, with very little movement present.
Green Stone - Includes stones that have been
metamorphosed or otherwise changed so that they have assumed a distinctive
greenish color owing to the presence of one or more of the following minerals:
chlorite, epidote, and actinolite. Green Stone is an old field term applied to
metamorphosed igneous rock that derived from basalt and other dark volcanic
rocks. No present commercial production is known.
Igneous - One of the three main classes of rock
(igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic) solidified from a molten slate. Granite
is
Limestone - A sedimentary rock composed of
calcium carbonate; includes many varieties, including oolitic limestone,
dolomitic limestone, crystalline limestone. Limestones that contain not more
than five percent magnesium carbonate may be termed calcite limestone, as
distinguished from those that contain between five and forty percent magnesium
carbonate (magnesium or dolomitic limestone), and from those that contain in
excess of forty percent as the mineral dolomite (dolostone, formerly known as
the rock dolomite). Re-crystallized limestones and compact, dense, relatively
pure microcrystalline varieties that are capable of taking a polish are
included in commercial marbles.
Commercial definition: Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed of calcite and
dolomites. Limestone is non-crystalline and possesses very uniform composition,
texture, and structure. Limestone ranges in color from white to gray and does
not take a polish. It exhibits erosion over time and is subject to
discoloration and disintegration.
Marble - A metamorphic (re-crystallized)
limestone composed predominantly of crystalline grains of calcite or dolomite
or both, that has acquired an interlocking or mosaic texture, most commonly by
heat and pressure during metamorphism. Marble that contains less than five to
forty percent magnesium carbonate, magnesium or dolomitic marble; and more than
forty percent dolomite marble.
Commercial definition: Marble is a metamorphic rock, composed of
metamorphosized limestone. Most marbles are infused with impurities such as
dolomite, silica or clay, providing variations in color and significant
movement. Marble is significantly softer than granite and, therefore, is
subject to greater wear and staining.
Metamorphic - One of the three main classes of
rock. This is rock that has been altered in appearance, density, or crystalline
structure by heat or pressure into a different type of rock. Slate and marble
are metamorphic rocks most commonly utilized in construction.
Metamorphism - The change or alteration in a rock
caused by external forces, such as deep-seated heat and pressure.
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