Did you ever wonder how granite and marble slabs became available to the GTA? All of those beautiful natural stone countertops, polished to a deep shine, gleaming in our kitchens – where did they come from and how did they get here?

 

Fine stone is quarried in virtually every country of the world. Different types of stone come from different places, of course, but each slab of stone is completely unique. Here are some of the exotic locations that supply stone slab to the Greater Toronto Area:

 

 

Granite is a very hard, granular, crystalline, igneous rock consisting mainly of quartz, mica, and feldspar. It is found in a huge range of colours and varieties and is often used as a building material. Granite is renowned for its durability and toughness, as it is heat-resistant, stain-resistant, scratch-resistant, and one of the hardest substances on Earth.

 

One of the most popular sources of granite is Brazil, where quarries are widespread. Varieties include Brazilian Black, which, from afar, looks white and light grey, but a closer inspection allows you to see an array of gray and creamy white tones, along with burgundy speckles.

 

Blue Pearl granite originates in Norway. This rich blue iridescent stone has abundant mica, which makes for a spectacular sparkle. The blue in the tile is due to the mineral Labradorite.

 

Tortoiseshell granite comes from China and is made up of different shades of blacks, pinks, and greys. Countertops made of this granite are less likely to show fingerprints or smears.

 

African Red granite originates in South Africa, and is one of the hardest and most durable stones available. It has a fiery red appearance that commands attention, along with black and white highlights.

 

 

Marble is a metamorphic rock that’s formed when extreme heat and pressure force the recrystallization of limestone over time. The carbonate minerals form into an interlocking mosaic of crystals, with different colours and patterning due to the various mineral impurities in the limestone. Marble is prized for its appearance and its association with timeless luxury.

 

One of the biggest marble quarries in the world is found in Carrara, Italy, which is about 100 kilometres northwest of Florence. Carrara marble, extracted from the nearby mountains, is the classic white or blue-grey with grey or black marbling or specks. It has been used since the time of Ancient Rome – the Pantheon in Rome was constructed from it, and many Renaissance sculptures (such as Michelangelo's David) were carved from Carrara marble.

 

The Rosa Portugal marble quarries are situated in Vila Vicosa, in southern Portugal. This is one of the biggest marble production areas in the world, with more than fifty quarries in the vicinity that produce beautiful pink stone.

 

Rajasthan, near the town of Makrana in India, is another huge marble production region. In this area, almost five hundred marble quarries can be found. The world famous Taj Mahal was made of marble coming from these quarries.

 

Marble is famous for its gorgeous, luminous glow while granite is renowned for its durability and variety of colours and patterns. Marble and granite slabs are now readily available in the GTA. Visit one of the Greater Toronto Area’s fine stone supplier showrooms today, and learn more about the origin of granite and marble slabs!