At TilesandCabinets.com, we take immense pride in providing genuine, high-quality natural stone products, including marble, granite, limestone, travertine, and onyx.
Unlike man-made synthetic tiles, natural stone is crafted over millions of years by geological forces beneath the Earth’s surface. Because of this unique creation process, no two pieces of stone are ever identical.
Before making your purchase, we want to help you understand and appreciate the inherent characteristics that give natural stone its unparalleled beauty, character, and charm.
What to Expect from Your Natural Stone
1. Color & Pattern Variation
Natural stone comes from quarries around the world. Earth’s natural mineral composition shifts constantly, which means variations in shade, tone, background color, and pattern are to be expected—even within a single slab or batch of tiles.
- Samples vs. Final Product: Samples are meant to serve as a general representation of the stone’s type and quality. The actual stone delivered may feature lighter or darker tones, different movement, or distinct background colors compared to your sample.
2. Veining
Veining is the presence of mineral deposits that travel through the stone, creating dramatic streaks, delicate lines, or web-like patterns.
- Veining can range from subtle and uniform to bold and unpredictable.
- Some pieces may feature heavy, vibrant veining, while neighboring pieces from the same batch may have virtually none.
3. Fissures (Not Cracks)
A fissure is a natural, hairline opening running along the crystal boundaries of the stone.
- Fissures are not structural cracks or defects. They are natural geological features that develop during the stone’s formation.
- Fissures do not compromise the structural integrity or durability of your stone. They are especially common in heavily veined materials like marble and onyx.
4. Pitting & Pores
Pitting refers to microscopic gaps or tiny pin-sized voids between the mineral grains in natural stone.
- Travertine & Limestone: These stones are naturally porous and often feature voids formed by trapped gas or water during formation. Depending on the finish you choose (e.g., honed and filled vs. unfilled), these pits may be factory-filled with resin or cement, or left open for a rustic look.
- Granite & Marble: Tiny surface pitting is a completely normal physical characteristic of certain natural granites and marbles and will not affect the long-term performance of the stone.
Tips for a Successful Installation
To ensure you achieve the most balanced and aesthetic look for your space, we strongly recommend the following practices:
- Order a 10%–15% Buffer: Always order extra material to account for natural variations, custom cuts, and future repairs.
- Dry Layout (“Blending”): Prior to installation, open multiple boxes or inspect all slabs and lay them out on the floor. Mix and blend tiles from different boxes to evenly distribute color variations and veining throughout the entire area.
- Dry Fit Approval: Ensure your installer conducts a dry fit and gets your visual approval before setting any stone with adhesive. Once installed, natural stone is considered accepted.
- Sealing: Most natural stone is porous to some degree. We recommend applying a high-quality penetrating sealer upon installation (and periodically thereafter) to protect against staining and moisture absorption.
A Quick Reminder: By purchasing natural stone, you are embracing a piece of Earth’s history. Embracing these natural variations is what transforms your space into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. If you have any specific questions about a particular stone variety, please contact our team prior to placing your order!