Knowledge Base

The generally recognized standard machine finish produced by the planers

Literally, badland; refers to dark-colored rock, commonly lava, in rough terrain

The structural member spanning the opening of a fireplace. Also, a shelf (usually cubic stone) which is part of the finish and above the fireplace opening

Dimensional stone fabricated, ready for installation

One who fabricates dimensional stone

A metamorphic crystalline rock composed predominantly of crystalline grains of calcite, dolomite, or serpentine, and capable of taking a polish

Rock altered in appearance, density, crystalline structure, and in some cases, mineral composition, by high temperature or intense pressure, or both. Includes slate derived from shale, quartz-based stone from quartzitic sand, and true marble from limestone

A special type of fabric or fabrics treated in a way by which the single filaments must be less than 1 “Denier”. (’Denier’ is the term used to define the diameter or fineness of a continuous or filament fiber.) For instance, fine silk is 1.25 denier. Microfiber fabrics are usually between 0.5 and 0.6 denier

In 1812 the Mohs scale of mineral hardness was devised by the German mineralogist Frederich Mohs (1773-1839), who selected the ten minerals because they were common or readily available. The scale is not a linear scale, but somewhat arbitrary. An item with a higher Mohs value can scratch an item with a lower Mohs value. A lower rated item cannot scratch a higher rated one: 1. Talc; 2. Gypsum; 3. Calcite (Most Marbles); 4. Fluorite; 5. Apatite; 6. Feldspar (Granite); 7. Quartz (Granite); 8. Topaz; 9. Corundum; 10. Diamond. Countertops with a 7+ are considered excellent, a 6 good, a 5 poor (because knives can scratch) and a 4 or below unadvisable. When sediment and grit are harder than the surface, they will scratch and harm the stone. "/>