What Is The Difference Between Rock and Stone?

What Is The Difference Between Rock and Stone?

The terms “rock” and “stone” are often used interchangeably in general conversation and it’s understandable why. In fact, the online Merriam-Webster even includes the description of rock under the definition of the term stone, so it’s no wonder that the terms get confused.

But what is the difference between rock and stone, and does it matter? Let’s dive in and find out. 

Stone vs rock

What is a rock?

Rocks are most commonly found in the crust of the earth but can also be found, in the form of cliffs and other manifestations, on the surface as well. Rock is made up of stone and another material called mineral matter.

There are actually three different types of rock found on the planet: Igneous, Metamorphic and Sedimentary.

Igneous Rock

This type of rock is formed when lava or magma cools down and then solidifies. Often this happens deep beneath the surface and over time the rock then rises to the surface. 

Metamorphic Rock

These rocks form when a previous type of rock is subjected to extreme levels of pressure and/or heat.

Sedimentary Rock

This type of rock is formed from the compartment of either other forms of rocks and/or fossils and other minerals on the surface of the Earth or in water depositories. 

What is a stone?

Stone is referred to as a material made of non-metallic rock-mineral matter. In other words, it is cut from rock. When we refer to natural stone, we’re talking about stone that is quarried (or cut) from the ground. This is in contrast to engineered stone or quartzite which is a man-made construction material. 

So, in a fascinating way, rock is made up of stone and stone is cut from rock! Confused? That’s okay! 

Types of Natural Stone

There are numerous types of natural stone which all boast unique features and a range of shades, patterns, colours and styles. 

Here’s a brief breakdown and summary of the different types of natural stone:

Granite

Granite is a type of igneous rock and is known for its iconic grainy crystallisation. 

Marble 

Marble, the classic stone of interior construction, is metamorphic and is made up of recrystallised carbonate minerals.

Quartzite 

Quartzite is also a metamorphic rock but it comes from the formation of quartz-rich sandstone that has been exposed to super high pressure or heat. 

Onyx

Onyx, a stunning form of sedimentary rock, features layers of chalcedony. What on Earth is that? It’s just a fancy word for cryptocrystalline quartz which itself is a fancy word for a type of silica.

Limestone

Limestone is another type of sedimentary rock made of calcium carbonate. Often containing microscopic organism fossils, it also contains calcium and carbonate formed in water depositories. 

Travertine

Like limestone, travertine is a sedimentary rock that also forms in water, especially hot springs and the like, and is known for its various rustic and earthy colourings. 

Using Stone In Construction

Stone is used in a wide variety of applications in construction and homes. Externally and internally, natural stone has been used for millennia and continues to be a popular choice of material for its magnificent aesthetic, durability and hardiness. 

Uses For Stone

Just some of the various home uses of natural stone include:

Benefits of Rock and Stone

Why are rocks and stones so commonly used for construction? There are actually a number of reasons.

Aesthetic

From the opulent aesthetic of marble to the rustic, down-to-earth tones of travertine, nothing beats the visual impact a stone kitchen countertop of wall has. There’s plenty of variety when it comes to colours, shades, styles and look of all types of natural stone, so there’s no lack of opportunity to find the perfect stone to suit your home style.

Durability

Stone is a highly durable material. Formed in or beneath the surface of the earth, it’s extremely hardy against exposure to the elements or the hive of activity within your home. If you’re going to build or renovate a house, you might as well make your investment last and stone will help you do that!

Versatility

Vanities, benchtops, floors, staircases… What can’t you use stone for? Stone can even be incorporated in both large slabs cut to shape and size or smaller tiles that can be arrayed in any style or pattern that suits you. 

Uniqueness

Due to the fact that natural stone is quarried from the ground and not produced in a factory or by man, every single slab is unique. There is no exact copy of any rock or stone found anywhere else in the world. If you value exclusivity and uniqueness in your home, nothing beats natural stone. 

Value

Another fantastic reason to incorporate stone into your home is its ability to add more and more value to your home. Whether you simply want to increase its appeal to prospective buyers or actually increase the overall value of the home, natural stone is fantastic.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

While you might once have found yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place trying to explain to someone the difference between a rock and a stone, you now know it’s actually quite simple. Rock is made up of mineral matter and stone, whereas stone is cut from rock itself to form the slabs that you then use to beautify and enhance your home! 

Want to chat more about stones, rocks and everything in between? Contact the Euro Marble team today!

How To Maintain Your Stone Benchtops

How To Maintain Your Stone Benchtops

There’s nothing quite like the visual impact of a stunning natural stone benchtop in your home and kitchen. For many avid fans of stone, one of the few drawbacks is the uncertainty around how to maintain your stone benchtops.

After all, a stone benchtop is a significant investment and while it’s highly durable and long lasting when properly maintained, it’s important that you treat your stone right and it will pay you back in spades.

Here are our expert tips for cleaning, maintaining and protecting your stone benchtops. 

Simple Cleaning Methods

The best way to clean a stone benchtop is to keep it simple, always. The first rule is to ensure you use both clean and warm water when giving the benchtop a wipe. Secondly, always use a cloth that is soft and won’t scratch.

Thirdly, when you’re cleaning up a spill (and yes, they will happen) make sure you blot before wiping and work in small overlapping sweeps. Lastly, make sure you let the bench air dry and don’t risk scratching the surface manually drying. 

Get Into The Habit Of Everyday Cleaning

In addition to cleaning the right way, you need to clean at the right time.

The best way to maintain a stone benchtop is by getting into the habit of conducting a simple, quick and easy clean every day.

Not only will it ensure your stone is always sparkling clean, it will also give you peace of mind that any small spills or bits of food that you may not have noticed will be picked up during the daily clean and won’t leave permanent marks or stains.

Quick Hands Prevent Staining

So, what do you do if something does spill over your beautiful stone benchtop? Simple: Act quickly!

The quicker you’re able to clean up a spill, the less likely it will be that a stain will be left. The first step is to blot the spill to soak up as much liquid as possible, before immediately rinsing a soft cloth (as you do with your daily clean) and apply warm, soapy water to the spot.

There’s no need to panic, but the faster you’re able to clean the better.

Be Careful of Your Soaps

Using the right soaps is an integral part of maintaining your benchtop.

Natural stone should not be exposed to abrasive or harsh chemicals. Whether you’re cleaning marble benchtops or tabletops made from granite, always use a neutral soap with a mild level of PH. Do NOT use any of the following:

  • Acidic chemicals
  • Harsh detergents
  • Cleans that are oil based
  • Turpentine 
  • Methylated spirits
  • Bleaches
  • Boiling water

Say No To Rough Scrubbing

While we’re on the topic of things not to do: Do not scrub your stone benchtop with a rough pad or cloth that might damage or scratch the benchtop itself.

No scouring pads, no steel wool, no abrasive cloths. Always be soft and gentle when wiping down your bench. 

Prevention Is Better Than Treatment

The best way to treat stains and damage to your stone is by avoiding it all in the first place!

From pasta sauce and wine to food colouring and beetroot, there’s a lot that can (when left unattended) spill and stain.

Simply by using placemats, coasters and heat pads  you can take small steps to preventing big mistakes.

Know What Stains

Properly sealed stone benchtops are hardy and highly durable, but it’s still important that you take care when working and cooking with certain foods that are prone to staining.

To give you a bit of an idea, here are some of the different foods to be careful with:

  • Wine
  • Beetroot
  • Pasta sauce
  • Turmeric
  • Curry
  • Berries
  • Juices
  • Oil
  • Coffee
  • Soy sauce 

Take The Heat Off

It’s not just stains that you’ll want to keep an eye out for and off your benchtop. If you place hot pots or pans directly onto your stone, you risk leaving a burn mark, discolouring the stone itself or even risking a bit of a crack.

Always use a hot plate, insulated mat or trivet to protect your benchtop from damage from your heat. Never place hot items directly onto your precious and beautiful benchtop. 

When Things Get Hard, Turn to Plastic

Even the most eagle-eyed individuals miss a little splash or spill every now and then. If you come later and notice that the stain has hardened, take care not to cause even more damage trying to scratch it off.

The ideal method of getting rid of hardened bits of food is to use a plastic utensil (be it a spoon, spatula or knife) and very gently remove the stain without scraping at the underlying bench.

Avoid Cutting On Your The Benchtop

This might seem like an obvious one, but for the sake of your gorgeous stone benchtop it bears emphasis here. Do not cut directly onto the stone. If you’re chopping up vegetables, always use a chopping board.

The last thing you want is to either leave marks or scratch away at the siny polish.

Another thing to remember is that you don’t use benchtops that can easily scratch or dent the stone either.

Avoid the Weak Spots

Stone is very hard wearing, but when you use it for your benchop the chances are that there will be areas of increased vulnerability. Particularly where the stone hangs over the end of underlying foundations, you should be careful not to place too much weight or downward pressure on those sections.

Never sit or stand on the benchtop, especially near the corners or ends.

Always Use Professional Repairers and Sealers

Marble, granite, limestone… Natural stone of all types could do with yearly or bi-yearly resealing to keep its somewhat porous material protected from the liquid it’s bound to be exposed to in your kitchen.

Make sure to always use professional sealers so you can rest assured the job is being done properly.

The same comes for repairs. Cracks, chips and scratches can be repaired in many cases but don’t risk causing more damage by doing it yourself. Make sure to get a team of experts in instead.

For More Tips, Get In Touch

We’ve barely scratched the surface–pun intended–of ways in which you can maintain your stone benchtop. For more tips and tricks, make sure to get in touch with our team here at Euro Marble

12 Best White Kitchen Ideas

Best White Kitchen Ideas

A white kitchen is a timeless, functional and visually pleasing colour choice for just about any home. However, just because you’re opting for white and bright, doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of opportunities to mix and match, and customise your kitchen.

If you need some help with white kitchen ideas, we’ve assembled a list to help you out.

Go White. Go Bold.

White is a timeless colour that doesn’t go out of fashion, doesn’t offend and doesn’t stand out. It’s a bright and light choice for a room of the house you’ll frequent every day.

Nothing quite shouts minimalist, sleek and clean like top-to-toe white in a kitchen. From cabinetry to benchtop and everything in between, if you love white and love being bold, go all the way with all white.

Add a Trim of Chrome or Metal.

If you like the idea of an elegant white kitchen but want to add something a little extra to break up the single shade, chrome or metallic trims are a classy way to do it. Think cabinet handles, door knobs, fixtures, taps and accessories… Of course, if you want an opulent look, opt for gold or rose gold trimmings. Or if you want rustic, go more brass and darker metals.

A Bold Black Feature Wall.

There’s something striking about the contrast of a single black feature wall set amongst an utterly white kitchen. It adds depth and is certainly a striking visual without overly committing you to any one colour. For good measure, it’s important to note that you can make your feature wall any colour, not just black!

White and Wood.

White kitchens with a considered inclusion of wood are slick and yet both classic and modern. Light toned timbers keep the elegant softness inherent in a white paint job and ensures the room still feels bright and airy. Darker woods are also exquisite, especially when used as exposed ceiling beams across the top of your stunning white kitchen. 

Utilise Layers to Add Depth.

All white kitchens might appeal to some homeowners, but if you’re worried about the visual depth of your kitchen then the answer is layers. Combine your touches of white with other neutral colours, including off-whites like eggshell, cotton, haze or even beige. You won’t lose out on the brightness of the room but will be able to add some decorative depth to the walls, floors, ceiling and/or cabinetry. 

Play With Textures.

Another way to add depth to your white kitchen is to use different layers. If your kitchen is in danger of seeming a little cold or sterile, some matte or glass cabinetry or a textured wall or splashback will do wonders for the space. Remember: Your lighting, accessories, and fixtures all provide plenty of opportunity to add new textures (as well as colour).

Open Storage for Practical Decoration.

This white kitchen idea is both ornamental and practical. Open storage–kept neat, considered and stylish–is a great way to mix up the aesthetic in your kitchen. From magnetic knife racks to recipe book shelves, and even plain open shelving stocked with your everyday cooking items, there’s a lot of opportunity for you to play around and enjoy.

Lose the Handles On Your Cabinetry.

There’s a lot of potential when it comes to kitchens with white cabinets. If your primary objective is the minimalist, sleek and fresh look then we highly recommend losing the handles on your cabinetry. It keeps the vertical spaces completely clean and unadorned so that the impact of the overall white colour scheme can work its magic to its ultimate potential. 

Hero Your Use of Stone.

Natural stone is a fantastic way to add a touch of true luxury to a home, especially in the kitchen. Fortunately, stone works perfectly within a white kitchen. Whether you’re thinking of a marble countertop or granite splashback, a slab of stone or stone tiling amongst an otherwise white kitchen will hero this stunning material. 

A Feature Island or Benchtop With Colour.

There are lots of white kitchen ideas with an island included. Your kitchen island can be used to integrate some extra colour, textures or accessories into your space. Whether you love the idea of a waterfall island or even a mobile island, it’s not just a practical addition to the kitchen but also one that can be used to anchor the white design. 

Alternatively, you can still add a bit of bold colour to your white kitchen just through a dark kitchen benchtop. There are plenty of types of natural stone and other materials to choose from to suit your style preference and complement the rest of your home.

Add a Coloured Splashback.

All kitchens should have a splashback for highly practical reasons. There’s no reason, however, why you shouldn’t utilise your splashback for aesthetic purposes too. In terms of materials, patterns, colours and textures, a well chosen splashback can add a subtle yet effective layer to your white kitchen. 

Painted and/or Patterned Floors.

Your kitchen floor shouldn’t be forgotten either! It offers an excellent opportunity to break up the space in a unique way. From a dark painted colour to a tiled, checkerboard or patterned floor, the sky’s the limit when it comes to your white kitchen’s floor.

Let’s Brainstorm More Ideas!

Would you like to discuss more white kitchen ideas and especially discover how natural stone can be used in your kitchen, we’d love to help. We’re experts on more things than just stone and we’d love to tell you all about it. So get in contact with us today. 

Explore Kitchen Ideas With An Island

10 Inspiring Kitchen Island Ideas

Kitchen islands are more than just an opportunity for you to add invaluable surface space for you to work on, in and around. They also offer near infinite opportunities to customise and accessorise in terms of kitchen island designs and aesthetics.

Of course, there are many different things you could do with your island and the shape, size, colour and material will depend largely on the way you function in the room, your lifestyle, your interior design choices and the amount of space you have.

To help you find the right bit of renovation inspiration for your home, here are 10 of the most inspiring kitchen island ideas.

Choose a Shape That Suits You.

The classic and most commonly found kitchen island is the traditional rectangular design. This is for good reason: If you’re tight on space, 90-degree corners will help keep enough space for you to move freely.

If you’re lucky enough to have space to choose something more unique that will certainly make a statement, opt for an unusually shaped kitchen island. There are plenty of options to choose from depending on your personal preferences and the shape of your kitchen. Opt for a partly-rectangular island with curves or go all in with a circular design… There’s plenty of scope for you to find the exact kitchen island for your home.

Make the Most With Multiple Zones.

This kitchen design idea is becoming more and more popular as the years go on. Simply by using multiple benchtop surfaces you can utilise your kitchen island in multiple ways by splitting it into different zones.

Let’s say you wanted to keep part of it natural stone for use in preparing food and cooking, you can maintain a dining room-table style wood bar or bench for breakfast, entertaining or anything in between along the other half.

Use an L-shaped Island For Seating.

An L-shaped kitchen island design is not just amazing for offering extra preparation space on top and storage space below, it also gives you the opportunity to incorporate a series of seats or stools for use as a breakfast bar or everyday family dining.

Of course, if you’re running a more adult function, it’s easy to serve drinks and canapes across a well styled L-shaped whilst maintaining both your hosting responsibilities and being a gracious, socialising host.

Include Practical Fixtures And Appliances.

While a lot of our kitchen island ideas are about design and aesthetic, this is one that’s all practical. Fixtures like sinks and electricity are always a useful thing to add to a kitchen and an island offers plenty of extra space for you to add those extra luxuries.

On another note, appliances are the bane of many a kitchen designer. With an island however, there’s always the opportunity to incorporate special spots that are discreet and out of the way but still practical and accessible. 

Customise Your Storage Types.

An excellent way to make the most of a kitchen island is to mix and match different types and styles of storage. Not only is this helpful for storing different sized tools, accessories, appliances and more, it’s also an excellent way to break up the visual look of the space.

Play around with cabinets, open shelving and drawers to create the perfect kitchen storage unit for you. 

Use The Sides To The Max.

There are two ways in which you can really use the sides of your kitchen island for maximum capacity and effect. The first is by leaving it open and easy to access. With some elegant shelving up and down the vertical side, you can add everything from delicate ornaments to extra coffee mugs and more.

Alternatively, you can go the opposite route and make the most of your countertop bench material. A ‘waterfall kitchen island’ is a jaw-dropping design that effectively highlights your choice of material.

Match Your Island To Your Home Style.

If it isn’t clear just yet, your kitchen island is more than just a space upon which you can pop plates and platters. It gives you a real opportunity to anchor your overall interior design style by matching your island to the rest of your home. 

Whether you’re a fan of the sleek, modern aesthetic or a more traditional or rustic visual, incorporating your home style to your kitchen island will bring the entire house together.

Add a Splash of Luxury.

Your kitchen island is a wonderful part of the room for adding a little bit of something extra without it being too much. When it comes to a luxurious and stunning material like marble, you can simply and affordably use it as the benchtop for your island without having to commit necessarily to using it throughout the rest of the house or even the room.  

Alternatively, indulge in a luxurious accessory like a mini wine fridge or cabinet within the island itself. You won’t have to worry about taking up extra space in your kitchen or compromise on the dream of having your very own spot for storing wine.

Add a Touch of Colour.

Another excellent kitchen island idea is to utilise the bench to infuse a bit of colour into the space. If you find that your kitchen is somewhat stale in colour or you want to simply add a bit of eye-popping colour without going overboard, your island is here to help. There’s plenty of scope for you to choose a colour or shade that suits you in a way that’s subtle, considered and still jaw-droppingly beautiful. 

Go Mobile For Maximum Flexibility.

Believe it or not but not all kitchen islands are permanent fixtures. A mobile or portable kitchen island can be rolled around your kitchen space as you need and see fit to make the entire space practical and functional.

Plus, you can easily incorporate storage beneath the benchtop and even include simple bits and bobs to make life that much easier such as hooks for tea towels and other utensils. Of course, you can match your mobile kitchen island to the rest of your kitchen and home decor so it complements the entire design seamlessly as you would with any other piece of ‘furniture’. 

Contact Euro Marble For More Ideas Today!

We’d love to have a chat to you about your kitchen island designs. Whether you’ve fallen in love with some of the inspirational ideas above or want even more ideas, the Euro Marble team is here for you. Contact us today.