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Marble has both a scientific and commercial definition. Scientific marble was once limestone that achieved metamorphosis from intense pressures and high temperatures within the earth. This altered its crystalline structure and introduced other minerals that produced the valuable colors and veining. Commercially, any stone capable of taking a polish (with the exception of granite) is known as marble. This includes travertine, onyx, serpentine and limestone. Marble is found in the mountainous regions of Canada, Italy, Germany, Spain, the U.S., Greece and other countries worldwide.

Most common uses of marble:

Marble adds a sophisticated element to your home, and its wonderful appearance, superior engineering characteristics, and ease of maintenance makes it a natural choice for floors, wall coverings, fireplace facing and hearth, table tops, and bathroom walls, floors, vanity tops, tub decks, and showers. Polished marble will serve well as flooring in areas where little sand is tracked onto these floors. Honed (flat finished) marble, limestone, or travertine will do very well in high traffic areas.

Care and precautions:

Marble should be cared for as you would a fine wood finish. Using coasters on tabletops and cleaning up spills immediately will preserve marble's natural beauty. Polished marble on a bathroom countertop requires you not to leave any thing that will cause rust, chemical, or food stains on the countertop, and the countertop will need to be sealed occasionally. Lemon juice or other food acids can etch polished marble and cause flat spots, and marble is more easily stained by oils, juices and metals. Stains on marble are more complicated to remove. A honed marble on a kitchen countertop is a better choice than polished. Never use bleach, Comet or acidic cleaners on polished marble. These will etch the surface and remove the shine.

Check out Marble and Granite Inc.'s wide selection of over 100 different types of Marbles.

With their versatility, drama and elegance, the exclusive stones from the Antolini 2011 Signature Collection can seamlessly transform a room to be uniquely beautiful. The small palette of stones chosen for the 2011 Signature Collection were hand-selected by Alberto Antolini himself. As an inspirational and innovative trendsetter from Luigi, Italy, Antolini has become well known for producing the finest and most exceptional natural stones in the industry, and his newest collection is no exception.

The exquisite palette of the 2011 Signature Collection embodies luxury in its most natural form with various colors and textures to fit any targeted style. Take a look part of the collection and see for yourself why Marble and Granite is thrilled to offer these magnificent natural stones. To learn more about the Antolini Collection and other lines from our selection contact Marble and Granite at 877-39-STONE or visit one of our showrooms.

Marble and Granite, Inc. has the largest natural stone selection in New England, including CaesarStone. After coming to the United States from Israel in 1999 as the original quartz surface manufacturer, CaesarStone became renowned for its superior quartz surfaces. With their plant still located in Israel next to an ancient Roman city, CaesarStone products are inspired by the beauty of the Mediterranean coast and the hard work and determination of the Ancient Roman tradition.

A loot at CaesarStone's elegant Motivo Embossed Collection demonstrates the state-of-the-art techniques and technologies used to produce premium quartz surfaces with exquisite style and exceptional durability. The Motivo Embossed quartz comes in Crocodile and Lace.



The Crocodile Embossed quartz presents a dark, sleek look with a touch of ruggedness. The Lace Embossed quartz, on the other hand, has a clean look with an intricate yet delicate pattern that adds elegance. For both, choose a polished, honed or textured finish, and a thickness of 1cm, 2cm or 3cm. The quality of the colors and textures of these two styles are backed by a residential lifetime warranty.



For additional information on the Motivo Embossed Collection, CaesarStone and other Marble and Granite, Inc. natural stones please call 877-39-STONE.

Photos courtesy of CaesarStone.

As a metamorphosed, easily worked igneous stone, soapstone has heat retention qualities that make it an ideal surface for sinks, kitchen countertops, laboratory tops, fireplace facings, inner hearths or cladding for freestanding coal or wood-fired room heaters.

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Blue and purple are a colors of tranquility, awareness, and success. Their versatility offers homeowners an array of design options. The showrooms of Marble and Granite hold 29 varieties of blue and purple natural stones from which to choose.

For bold kitchens and baths, Azul Bahia's gray base with dramatic violet and black veining leaves a lasting impression. This Brazilian granite will not be overlooked. The depth of Blue Polare's color appears black, with iridescent clusters of royal blue. Its  consistent color is great for homeowners seeking a solid stone with a bit of visual interest. India's Paradisio features olive, rouge, and taupe accents throughout a base of scarlet and purple. It is a truly unique and stunning stone. Also from India, Bahamia Blue offers rich, consistent color with deposits of navy blue and black.  Naminian Sky marble has a gentle, pale blue base with extreme movement, reflected in waves of gray and slate blue.

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Visit our showrooms in Milford, CT or Westwood, MA to see these beautiful products in person. Call for 877-39-STONE for questions and details.

Image Source: Yacht Forums, Marble and Granite

The reflective qualities of Crystal Glass make it a stunning addition to your home. Maximize the light in any given space through the added radiance of engineered crystal products.

Crystal Glass is made by sintering crystals and glass together at high temperatures. The results can be similar to Pure White Thassos marble in consistency; other forms maintain their chunky crystal structures for a variety of color. Crystal glass is as durable as granite, resisting scratches and stains. Unlike some natural stones, it won't need to be sealed.

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Marble and Granite offers 9 Crystal Glass products. Radiant Crystalized White is a consistent, white surface with no movement like natural stone. It has high sheen and seems to emanate light from within. Yellow Topaz is a mixture of alabaster and glass with significant variations in color including yellow, gold, tan and black. The lighter crystals shimmer in the light, popping against the darker components in the slab. For more even light distribution, try  Briarwood's earthy blend of rust, brown, and creme which adds warmth to any design.

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The featured kitchen does a top-notch job of integrating classic Calacatta Original marble into a modern design. The base of the marble is radiant white with few but distinct gray veins. The overall appearance is fresh and clean, providing a blank slate for the rest of the space.

While the traditional element of the marble is reflected in the ornate crown moldings above, the kitchen maintains it modern appeal by mixing materials: marble countertops on one side, butcher block on the opposite counter and hardwood floors. The modern décor includes frameless cabinetry with minimalist hardware, stainless steel appliances.

Both Marble and Granite showrooms are stocked with magnificent marble products that accentuate modern designs. Explore our white countertop collection including French Vanilla and Guatemalan Danby.

Image Source: Design Sponge

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The legacy of the Luigi family began in 1950s when Antolini Luigi dedicated himself to the international expansion of his company, founded upon the selection and distribution of only the finest stone products. Today, his three children carry out his mission and their zest shows in every detail of the 2011 Signature Collection.

Antolini's Signature Collection makes quality and value available to clients. The 2011 line consists of 12 variations of granite and soapstone. The range of color, movement and veining in the stone provides options for distinct style preferences. For clients who prefer modern designs with subtle beauty and splashes of color, Labradorite Multicolor granite from Madagascar rises to the occasion. Its gray base is accented with veins of silver and deposits of iridescent color: rich teals, radiant golds, and muted violet add unparalleled beauty. The warm hues of Copper Dune granite are ideal for a natural enclave, possessing copper, amber, and chocolate waves with ribbons of taupe. Browse the full 2011 collection here.

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Antolini offers multiple finishes included Polished and matte Lether. Browse and order from the Signature Collection at Marble and Granite, 877-39-STONE.

Image Source: California Home and Design