Granites are igneous stones, which means that its origin comes from the deep cooling and crystallization of magma, the incandescent liquid found underneath the earth's crust. Some granites can be considered truly geological time keepers, as they were among the first stones to form on Earth, more than 3 billion years ago. Magma is made of various chemical elements which, under specific temperature conditions, combine to form the minerals found in granite, such as feldspars, quartz and micas. Quartz generally has a glassy or smoky appearance, while micas are black or greenish. Feldspars, however, can attain special elements during their crystallization, giving granites a variety of colors such as white, yellow, grey and red. The size of today's minerals provides clues about their ancient formation: the slower the magma cools, the larger the sizes of the minerals formed, creating a wide variety of textures. The mineral composition typical of granite gives this natural stone great strength and durability, which, combined with its homogeneous aesthetics, has made it one of the most popular and widely used materials of architecture and urban planning around the world.
Millions of years ago, ancient tropical seas were responsible for generating sedimentary carbonate stones. When these stones are submitted to conditions of high temperature and pressures, caused by geological events, their minerals are modified, giving rise to marble through metamorphism. The heating and deformation generated by the metamorphic action produces the characteristic aesthetics of marble, such as the gracefully flowing veins of color. Classic white marble is made up of pure calcite, the most abundant carbonate mineral. Pink and golden tones are due to the presence of iron oxide. The gray spiral shapes found in some pieces come from layers of clay that have been folded into the marble. And the black color comes from organic matter. Dolomitic marble contains the mineral dolomite, a magnesium-rich carbonate generated by specific metamorphism mechanisms. They are characterized by a finer grain matrix than predominantly calcitic marbles. Marble was widely used as a raw material in magnificent buildings and sculptures that marked the height of the great civilizations, synonymous with nobility and refinement.
Sodalite is a jewel of nature, with its intense blue color and white veins. 700 million years ago, in Bahia, the geodynamic magic of the Earth was revealed. The controlled cooling of sodium and aluminum-rich magmas results in this exceptional stone. Its strong blue color is the manifestation of the widespread occurrence of the mineral sodalite, exploring Brazil's natural riches, providing an exclusive and beautiful touch to decorative pieces and extraordinary indoor environments. The white zeolites in the veins reflect the precipitation of minerals, while the gray-greenish tones reveal crystallizations of carbonates, micas, and opaque minerals. This unique mineralogical interaction gives sodalite its unique and noble aesthetic. Thus, Sodalite is not just a decorative rock; it is an expression of the geological history of the Earth, a natural work of art that brings beauty, durability, and meaning to the adorned spaces. Whether in residential or commercial projects, Sodalite enhances design, offering a unique visual and sensory experience.
Quartzites are extremely beautiful and highly resistant stones and their striking characteristics have a deep connection with their formation, metamorphism and composition. This type of stone is made up of 75% quartz, a mineral known for its hardness and variability, which can be found from crystalline and translucent forms to clear, vibrant and exotic colors. Anyone who admires the beauty and diversity of quartzite, needs to know that the journey of its formation began billions of years ago, with much older stones being eroded by the action of time. The sediments generated are arranged in a new location being compressed and cemented, giving rise to sandstones, a sedimentary stone. These new stones are exposed to high magnitude geological events, culminating in its metamorphism, a process that finally originates the Quartzites, modifying their initial structure and reorganizing the grains. This makes them more robust and resistant, and preserves their movements patterns, highlighting their beauty and sophistication, bringing together the past and the present in unique pieces.
Dolomitic Marble