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Natural stone">stones are categorized into three groups known as igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Granite falls into a group of igneous rocks, which are compromised of about 45-66% of quartz making it hard and durable in nature ¨C perfect choice for kitchen countertops. Other minerals that make up igneous rocks are feldspar, mica and iron ores. Granite is derived from quarries that are located at the rock beds formed over millions of years from the some of the same minerals that formed the body of Earth. At one time those minerals were hot but as they cooled down they condensed to a solid core forming The Earth. In the formation process, as the Earth's crust was developing through pressure it began pushing heavy minerals down to the core of the Earth. The crust grew thicker and squeezed around the inner core of the Earth creating intense pressure and heat, resulting in the release of mineral vapors. These vapors in turn caused crystals and other solid forms to grow. With the expansion of crust, these solid minerals were forced up to the Earth's surface. Thus were formed these same rock beds that are now used as quarries for granite. Granite is the most abundant igneous rock found on earth. At the quarries, the stone">stone is cut into huge blocks, and then into required thickness, usually with one surface honed or polished. Tiles and panels are cut to size in factories, and then packed for further shipment to stone">stone retailers all over the world. Natural stone">stones such as marble and granite come from quarries found all over the world. Some of the most popular stone">stones come from such countries as Italy, Spain, Turkey, United States, Mexico, China, Taiwan, India, Greece, Canada, France, and Brazil. Marble is categorized as a metamorphic rock. Some of the minerals it contains is calcite and/or dolomite. Metamorphic rock is actually limestone">stone that for some time has been exposed to high temperature and pressure. Such circumstances caused these rocks to go through a process of change known as metamorphoses, the reason they are called metamorphic rocks. Due to changes in the environment, minerals found in these rocks go through a molten phase, which causes the appearance of swirls or bands that we see in marbles. |
Rock solid, Naturally