To better understand all the variety that we have, we are going to classify them according to their origin:
Fagmatic or igneous rocks
Formed thanks to the cooling of the magma, which comes out of the interior of the earth at through of fractures.
During the ascent, and as the temperature and pressure decrease, the magma cools. This cooling causes the formation of different minerals. Depending on the cooling rate, we get one type of stone or another. If this is slow enough to allow the growth of new minerals to a size visible to the eye, we will have a stone with a grainy appearance. I mean, granite.
Granite – is an all-terrain natural stone. Resistant to everything. It supports atmospheric alterations, wear and scratches and, in addition, it is insulating against humidity.
Basalt: it is one of the most widespread rocks on the earth's crust... and on Mars! Its formation is the product of the rapid cooling of the magma expelled by volcanoes, making it highly resistant to heat, but waterproof. Its density is considerably higher than that of granite and marble.
Onyx: From the family of magmatic rocks, it is considered a semi-precious stone.
It forms as a result of silica deposits during the flow of water into cracks at a temperature below 200°. Also used since time immemorial in jewellery and other objects, today it is one of the most impressive pieces that we can obtain from nature.
limestone and sandstone
Formed in warm seas, hot springs, rivers and springs. It usually has a high content of animal and plant fossils. It has thermal resistance properties and thanks to its high porosity and rough surface, it is highly non-slip.
It usually has ocher and beige tones, although depending on the origin, the tonality and the level of porosity may vary.
Its uses are mainly for exterior pavement and facade. The best-known limestone is Travertine.
Metamorphic rocks
They are the result of changes that already existing rocks have experienced. These changes are the result of a very high pressure and/or temperature that has caused changes in mineralogy and texture and, in some cases, also in chemical composition.
The best known metamorphic rocks are marble, quartzite and slate.
Marble, the natural stone par excellence. Its name, coming from the Greek (μάρμαρον ), means to shine.
It has been the chosen material to build the most important constructions of our civilization. Its colors are practically infinite. From intense greens to blues, blacks and browns, passing through the most pristine white, with or without streaks. Its uses are also endless since it can be used on all types of surfaces and as an ornamental element. Being an easily manageable but at the same time very dense rock, many types of marble allow a thin laminate, so that we obtain a translucent board highly valued as a decorative piece. Special care must be taken with acids, as they attack the material and could leave stains impossible to remove without polishing the piece.
Quartzite, from the ancient Greek "krystallos" means "ice". It is a tremendously resistant rock to erosion, similar to granite. Its range of colours is wide, ranging from the most intense blacks to greys, whites and reddish, often combined with precious veining. Thanks to its high resistance, it is used in various applications, whether on facades, floors or kitchen countertops.
