Stone is a natural solid configuration of one or many minerals. There are a thousand types of stone that have been quarried throughout the centuries. Cutting Edge Countertops buys from quarries that are located all around the world from Italy to Spain to India to Greece, as well as the US.

The minerals in stone came from the same liquid and gas minerals that formed the Earth. The Earth developed as a massive body of gas and liquid minerals that slowly cooled and condensed to a solid core. Through pressure, the Earth's crust began to form and heavy minerals were forced down to the core of the Earth, where they were trapped. As the crust got thicker, it squeezed around the inner core, which created intense pressure and heat from within the Earth. Crystals and other solid forms began to grow from the mineral vapors that were being released. As the Earth's crust began to expand and erode, heat and pressure pushed the solid minerals up to the Earth's surface, which formed colossal rock beds. It took up to a hundred million years to form some of these beds. Many of the beds are now used as quarries where the stone is mined.

Natural Stone

Granite - Granite is formed by the gradual cooling and solidification of magma inside the earth's crust under high pressure. Primarily made of Quartz (35%), Feldspar (45%) and Potassium and contains very little calcite. Minerals crystallize slowly to give granite its characteristic crystalline and granular structure. It comes in many varieties of colors and patterns. The slabs are polished to a high gloss on one side. It is very hard material and easier to maintain than marble, however, it is still porous and will stain. As stone is a natural product, no two pieces are exactly the same, even if they are mined from the same quarry. Each slab is unique and no top can be replicated exactly.

Marble - A re-crystallized limestone that formed when the limestone softened from heat and pressure and re-crystallized into marble where mineral change occurred. The main consistency is calcium and dolomite. Ranges in many colors and is usually heavily veined and shows lots of grains.

Limestone - Mainly consists of calcite. It does not show such graining or a crystalline structure. It has a smooth granular surface. Some dense limestone can be polished. Common colors are black, grey, white, yellow or brown. It is more likely to stain than marble. Limestone is known to contain lime from sea water.

Travertine - Usually a cream or reddish color. It is formed through the accumulation of calcite from hot springs. It contains lots of holes that were formed from water flowing through the stone. These holes are often filled with synthetic resins or cements and require lots of maintenance if the holds are not filled. They are classified as a limestone and a marble.

Onyx - The name comes from the Greek word onyx, which means fingernail. Onyx is classified under chalcedony quartz mined in Brazil, India, California and Uruguay.  It has a fine texture and is black in color. However, it displays white bands or ribbons against a black or brown background.  It is formed in caves as stalactites and stalagmites by the slow precipitation of cold, mineral-rich water. Onyx was very popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans.

Soapstone -  A very soft stone made of a variety of talc. It is a dense mineral that wears well and is often resistant to oxide.

Natural Quartz Surfaces 

Want an alternative to natural stone?  Then we invite you to choose one of the many natural quartz surfaces that we offer as authorized Cambria®, Zodiaq®, and CaesarStone® dealers.  A natural quartz surface is made up of 93% quartz crystal, one of nature's strongest minerals, and 7% resin and epoxies.  Cambria®, Zodiaq®, and CaesarStone® provide a great alternative to natural stone which combines the strength and beauty of quartz with technology.  In return this creates a palette of dramatic colors with consitency, tone, and strength.

Cambria® - Discover the warmth and richness that can only be found in natural quartz surfaces - where elegance and beauty meet function and lasting durability. With an endless palette of dazzling colors showcasing the depth and character of natural quartz, you'll see why more and more homeowners are asking for Cambria by name. Bring your dream kitchen or bath to life today - Discover yourself in Cambria!

Zodiaq® - A DuPont proprietary binding polymer and pigments developed for one purpose: to create a new material with its own depth and character and a unique aesthetic, suggesting a sense of enlightened luxury and an attitude of bold sophistication. Zodiaq® catches and reflects light, capturing the radiance of quartz crystal and has an unusual clarity and consistency of color, qualities that offer great potential for use in both horizontal and vertical applications.

CaesarStone®-  The quartz is combined with high-quality polymer resins and pigments and then compacted under intense vibration, vacuum, and pressure into dense, non-porous slabs. The slabs are post cured, gauged to precise thickness, and polished to an enduring shine. Although long used for the finest residential countertops, CaesarStone is now offered as an attractive and versatile finish for commercial and institutional buildings.