Manufacturer/Importer: Bedrosians
While Ceramic Tile is a man-made product, Marble, Granite, Slate, Limestone and Quartzite are natural products made by Mother Nature. Marble has been used for centuries to grace the most lavish buildings in the world. Today, in the United States, Marble is gaining popularity as a residential as well as a commercial finish material.
There are 3 types of rock on the Earth's surface:
1) Layered Rock which is Sedimentary in character
2) Changed Rock which is Metamorphic in character, and
3) Volcanic Rock which is Igneous in character
Marble is of the first two types.
Dolomitic Marble is layered (or sedimentary) in character and contains a mineral called "Dolomite." This type of marble is created from Limestone through the actions of pressure, heat and various minerals that pass or percolate through the rock during formation. There are 3 major groups of Dolomitic Marble:
1) Travertines (from salt-water Limestone)
2) Serpentines (from fresh-water Limestone), and
3) Onyxs
Dolomitic marble comes from the quarrier in the following sizes and shapes:
Slab: (2-3 cm thick - standard)
3'x6' to 7'x10' (Avg: 4'x8')
Tile: (3/8" to 3/4" thick)
6"x6" to 24"x24" (Standard: 12"x12")
WARNING: All Dolomitic marbles are highly porous and very susceptible to weathering, thus, they should not be used for exterior applications which expose the stone to extreme weather conditions.
Dolomitic marble is available from the quarrier in two basic finishes:
Polished (Voids filled or unfilled), and
Honed
(Satin Finish)
Calcinate Marble is changed (or metamorphic) in character and is created from Limestone through pressure and extreme heat. It is composed primarily of the mineral "Calcite." Calcinate Marble is harder and more durable than Dolomitic Marble.
Calcinate Marble:
Ranges in color from pure
white to white or grey
Has veins of differing
colors caused by mineral impurities
Sparkles like diamonds
because of the light bouncing off of the large Calcite
crystals
Calcinate marble comes in the following sizes and shapes:
Slab: (3/4" to 1" thick) 3'x6' to 7'x10' (Avg 4'x8')
Tile: (3/8" to 3/4" thick) 6"x6" to 24"x24" (Avg 12"x12")
Like Dolomitic Marbles, all Calcinate Marbles are available in two basic finishes:
Polished, and
Honed
(Satin Finish)
Calcinate marble is excellent for exterior applications or as an interior finish material. Specific uses are:
Exterior wall
claddings
Interior
walls
Interior
floors
Bathroom vanities
Counter tops (except
Kitchens)
Tables
Furniture
Bedrosians imports many fine marbles from the leading quarriers of the world. For a listing, click here.