When it comes to the natural stone industry, there are typically two common terms used to describe countertop material type, Granite and Marble. Although these common terms are used, there are actually many varieties of stone that are geologically different.Listed below are the varieties of stone types sold at Verona Marble, which are commonly referred to as “Granite”.
Granite
Granite is a common type of igneous rock composed mainly of quartz, different types of feldspars, micas, and hornblende, along with varying amounts of the elements aluminum, calcium, iron, and magnesium.
Although granite is very strong and durable, it is porous. Sealing the stone is recommended to prevent staining. Granite is typically one of the most affordable stone countertop options and is readily available.

Quartzite
Quartzite is a metamorphic rock that has been formed from sandstone and has been altered by heat and pressure over time.
Like most natural stones, Quartzite should be sealed to protect from staining and are typically more expensive than traditional granite materials.

Basalt / Gabbro
Basalt is a dark-colored, fine-grained, igneous rock composed mainly of plagioclase and pyroxene minerals. It most commonly forms as an extrusive rock, such as a lava flow. The difference between basalt and gabbro is that basalt is a fine-grained rock while gabbro is a coarse-grained rock.
Although Basalt and Gabbro are very dense, they are still porous and need to be sealed to prevent staining. Basalt and gabbro generally fall into the same price range as natural granite.

Schist
Schist is medium grade metamorphic rock, formed by the metamorphosis of mudstone / shale, or some types of igneous rock. It often contains significant amounts of mica, which allow the rock to split into thin pieces.
Schist is porous and needs to be sealed to prevent staining. Because they are more fragile than other stone types, they typically require a bit more care. Also, because of the variation in material hardness, they typically do not have a very uniform finish when polished.
