Frequently Asked Questions

How can your prices be so much better than your competitors?
Thanks to our  association with New York Stone (www.newyorkstone.com) we are able to benefit from their huge buying powers and pass these benefits onto our customers. Essentially, because we can buy better than our competition we can also sell better. We cannot promise to be cheaper on all products as, of course, some are mainstream and the price is standard, but we will endeavour to beat any quote you have been offered.

Who do you sell to?
For the most part we sell to the trade - stonemasons, interior designers, architects, property developers, flooring contractors, tile retailers, kitchen suppliers, builders, hotel developers and shops/restaurants. Increasingly we are now selling both tiles and worktop slabs to the public. Be it for someone’s luxury home/apartment or for the person looking to make savings on their kitchen and bathroom renovation. With so many people renovating instead of moving, it makes sense to buy directly from rather than pay over the odds with a retailer.

Will you install the worktops and tile my floors for me?
We are experts in importing the best quality stone into the UK, however, we are not involved in the fitting of worktops or tiling of floors. That said, we have a number of preferred fabricators who are experts in their field and will do a stunning job for your development or home. We are happy to liaise directly with them on your behalf or simply supply your stone and leave the manual work to your own builders.

Are there different grades/qualities of stone and how does this relate to cost?
Although stone is sold as first quality and commercial grade, we only buy and sell first quality material. Our reputation is based on supplying the finest quality stone at the best price. All our stock is quality controlled prior to shipping and with 30 years experience working with the same quarries for 30 years our suppliers guarantee we receive exceptional quality. As previously mention, we will rarely, if ever, be beaten on price, however you will be able to find poor quality ‘clearance’ stone at very low prices elsewhere. Not only does lower grade stone look shabby but it will very rapidly need replacing.

Where do you source your stone from?
We have long standing relationships with quarries in India, Brazil, USA, Turkey, Israel, Portugal, Spain and, of course, Italy.

What's the difference between marble and granite?
Although both are quarried, granite and marble (including limestone, onyx and travertine) are very different. Granite is formed deep in the earth's mantle at extremely high temperatures and is a very hard, resistant stone made of crystallized minerals. The marble family including limestone, travertine, marble and onyx starts out as sediment, animal skeletons and shells, plant matter and silt at the bottom of bodies of water. After millions of years this solidifies into stone. Because its main component is calcium, it can be affected by acids such as vinegar and citrus beverages.

What is travertine?
Travertine is, in a sense, limestone. It is formed by geysers, when the extremely hot underground water dissolves the underlying limestone and carries it upwards with the geyser water. When the water falls to the ground and evaporates, it leaves behind the dissolved limestone which re-hardens into stone. Like carbonated waters the new stone is full of gas bubbles giving travertine its characteristic appearance. When it is manufactured as tiles or slabs, travertine is generally filled with cement and polished or honed.

Is it necessary to seal stone?
All stone, even granite, is porous to some degree and will absorb stains over time. Some stones are more porous than others, so it is important to use a penetrating sealer to prevent stains from oil, wine or other liquids soaking into the surface.

Can I cut on my granite countertop?
Only if you want to ruin your good knives! Granite is harder than your knife blades and will dull them very quickly if you use the countertop as a cutting surface. Always cut and chop on a wooden or plastic cutting board.

Can I use marble on my kitchen counters?
Yes. In fact marbles that have a honed finish will not etch because its surface starts out with a matte finish. Because marbles (and limestone and travertine) are calcium carbonate, the polished surface is more vulnerable to household acids including vinegar, mustard, citrus and a host of other food-related products. These acidic substances cause a chemical reaction which will remove the polish. Additionally, marble and limestone can be scratched more easily than harder stones such as granite. Marble is, however, sometimes used in the kitchen as a pastry slab; its perfectly smooth, cool surface is ideal for rolling out dough and piecrusts.

What is honed marble or limestone and where can it be used?
Marble, travertine, or limestone that is honed has a matte or satin finish, rather than a highly reflective polish. This is achieved at the factory by stopping just short of the last stage of polishing. Some fabricators have special equipment and can hone marble in their shops by removing the factory polish. One feature of honed marble is that it doesn't show etching as readily, or wear patterns on floors. It is preferred by some because it has a less formal, softer appearance than polished stone.

What's the best way to clean marble and other stones?
The old rule of thumb is never to use anything you wouldn't use on your hands. Never use powdered cleansers or abrasive pads to clean your stone. Even "soft scrub" type cleaners contain pumice, which is powdered volcanic stone, and might damage your stone countertops or floors. Never use any product which is acidic; this includes substances like ammonia or many common liquid cleaners. You should always use sealers and cleaning products designed specifically for natural stone.

Can I use limestone in my kitchen?
Like marble, polished limestone is subject to surface changes or damage from kitchen acids including citrus juices, vinegars, mustards and so forth. Unsealed, some of the more porous limestones can be subject to stains. If the limestone is polished or semi-polished, you will see a rough spot where the substance sat on the stone. On a honed surface, such etches will be less noticeable.

Is limestone soft and chalky?
No, not at all. There are some limestones such as Beauharnais that are very hard and dense, nearly as hard and resistant as granite, and extremely non-porous. Keep in mind, though, that these very hard limestones are still calcium-based and, if polished, are subject to damage from household acids.

What kind of stone can I use on my swimming pool deck and other wet areas?
There are a number of materials that can be used to provide a non-slip surface including flamed granite tiles. For hot areas, the ideal deck surface is a natural stone which stays cool underfoot on the hottest of days.

What is so good about granite worktops?
It looks beautiful, is natural and has physical properties unrivalled by any other work surface. It can be cut and shaped into interesting and bespoke shapes, reducing the number of joins.

What finishes are available?
Full Polished, Honed and Antico (Antiqued). Full Polished is by far the most popular finish, it accentuates the beauty and brings out the full colour and depth of the stone while adding to the stone’s stain and scratch resistant properties. Honed finish has an appealing slate like look. The stone is more porous in this state and requires sealing. It also shows stains and marks more easily than other finishes, giving a rustic look that will wear in over time. The reduced porosity means that honed finish is most suitable to dense hard granites like Zimbabwe Black/African red. Antico is fairly new to the worktop market; it is a more refined version of the traditional rivern finish typically found on York stone. Its texture gives a rustic unmistakable stone look. Antico is impregnated with a hard resin making it similar in properties to an all polished stone. Not all stones are available in this finish.

Can I have a sample?
Yes of course, just call us.

Do you have a brochure?
We have invested in our website instead of a printed brochure.

Do you have a showroom?
Yes, please click ‘Contact Us’ on our website and we will be delighted to show you around. You can not only look around the showroom, but we will be happy to take you into the warehouse to select your own stone as of course each tile/slab is unique.

Can you deliver?
We deliver every day throughout the UK and Europe. For large developments, delivery is undertaken by an independent haulage company on our behalf. For medium or small orders we will deliver ourselves to your door. Delivery prices are dependent on location and size. For our repeat trade customers there is no charge for delivery. You can also collect your order up from us directly.