All stone is not the same - there are three major groups: Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary. These groups can be sub-divided into two mineral groups: Silicates and Carbonates.

Silicates (containing silica) are generally the harder minerals and the most common rock forming minerals. Carbonates contain the softer minerals; these stones are referred to as "calcareous" based stones.

Igneous Rocks: This group has been formed from volcanic magma. Granite is an igneous rock, composed primarily of felspar and quartz. Basalt is another igneous rock.

Sedimentary Rocks: There are four main types of sedimentary rock -

1/ Rocks produced by inorganic chemical material deposited on ancient river or lake bed floors and springs e.g. travertine and certain limestones.

2/ Stone produced by living organisms - vegetation or marine creatures e.g. shellstone, fossilstone, certain limestones.

3/ Stone produced from the weathering of pre-existing stone e.g. sandstone.

4/ Stone which is the result of volcanic activity - volcanic ash and older rock material e.g. tufa.

Metamorphic Rocks: The changing of one rock type into another rock type by an increase in temperature and/or pressure e.g. fine-grained calcite limestone recrystallizes to a course-grained crystal structure in marble.

Belmondo Tiles range of natural stone includes travertine, limestone, sandstone, marble, granite, basalt and bluestone in a variety of finishes and sizes. We can also provide natural stone slabs for your kitchen and bathroom, stone steptreads, pool coping, wall cladding, cobbles and pavers.

Natural stone is subject to tone and pattern variation. Each piece is unique, which is an inherent part of its beauty and attraction. Photos cannot do justice to the subtlety of tone and can often be misleading. To avoid disappointment it is recommended that you view the actual stone or request a sample of the current batch.