Granite is a hard crystalline, igneous or metamorphic rock primarily composed of feldspar, quartz and lesser amounts of dark minerals. It is visible crystalline in texture. The igneous rock is created deep within the earth from magma and cooled slowly under great pressure. Granite, the hardest building stone, has dense grain, which makes it impervious to stain. Granite is not a homogenous rock and its composition varies depending on its location. Other less common components give granite a wide variation in look and color.

Marble is a metamorphic crystalline rock composed predominantly of crystalline grains of calcite, dolomite, or serpentine. Marble is generally formed from limestone undergoing metamorphism. When exposed to extremes of pressure or heat limestone turns into calcite or dolomite crystals, which are the primary materials in marble.

Limestone consists of sedimentary rock wholly or in large part composed of calcium carbonate. It is ordinarily white but may be colored by impurities, iron oxide making it brown, yellow, or red and carbon making it blue, black, or gray. The texture varies from cores to fine. Most limestones are formed by the deposition and consolidation of the skeletons of marine invertebrates; a few originated in chemical precipitation from solution. Limestone deposits are frequently of great thicknesses.

Soapstone is a metamorphic rack that is largely composed of the mineral talc and is thus rich in magnesium. It is produced by dynamothermal metamorphisum and metasomatism, which occurs in the areas where tectonic plates are subducted, changing rocks by heat and pressure, with an influx of fluids, but without melting. It has been a medium for carving for thousands of years. We are the Central California dealer for soapstone. We offer 6-8 different colors of soapstone.

Travertine is a form of massive calcium carbonate resulting from deposition by springs or rivers. Some varieties of travertine take a polish and are known commercially as marble. It is often beautifully colored and banded as a result of the presence of iron compounds or other impurities. Travertine is actually a dense closely compacted form of limestone.