Much of the appeal of Natural Stone is in its variations, which can not by duplicated by anyone but Mother Nature. However it is this feature of Natural Stone that can sometimes make it hard to tell if your stone really is of a good quality. Below are some things to look out for, though these effects are not always an indication of bad stone quality and if you are in doubt, you should contact your supplier, installer or another industry professional.
Discolouration
As with all Natural Products, some colour variation can occur. Every stone and colour is different – some stones can hold veins of different colours or what is called “Flowers” of white, black or gold - but your stone should not vary hue in its entirety. If you are unsure whether your colour variation is to be expected, please contact a member of our team.
Rusting
Rusting is the process through which Iron Pyrites (Fools Gold) contained in the stone rises to the surface of the stone to created a rust-like appearance. Some colours and stones are particularly prone to this and it can sometimes be brought about be consistently wet weather over an extended period of time, however this can by stopped by a good cleaning and sealing of the stone by a professional. If you are noticing a rust-effect, it is best to contact a stone professional to see if this is a normal effect for your stone.
Joints and Fillers
Some stones contain natural fissures, which is a polite way of saying “cracks that haven’t separated”. In almost all cases this isn’t a problem if the stone is properly installed, so long as it doesn’t catch your fingernail and doesn’t change over time. If your stone has noticeable glued cracks, joints and filled or discoloured areas, your stone may not be of the best manufactured quality. Travertine and similar stones are exceptions to this as is the nature of these products. At Granite Works we employ no less than four Quality Control Personnel on the ground at our factories to ensure that your stone order is not subject to these inferior methods. Click here for more on what happens when you order from Granite Works.
Inconsistent Edging and Tolerances
Granite Works products equal or less than 50mm thick are subject to a tolerance of ± 2mm, and a subtle variation in flatness dependant on the finish specified. These variations should be next to invisible to the naked eye, particularly if you are not experienced in stone laying. Similarly any edge work, for example pencil rounds or bullnosing around a pool or on a step tread, should be straight and even continuously along the edge of your pavers. If you can see a difference and are concerned , please contact your supplier, installer or another industry professional.
