Stone Stories Archives - Terrazzo & Marble Supply

Stone Stories

The Story Behind the Stone – Alta Quartzite

The Search is over! Discovering this beautiful natural stone was like a ribbon cutting ceremony for the industry! Of course, finding this virgin quarry was no walk in the park. Located in a very isolated area of Brazil our stone quest began with a turbulent flight in a prop plane followed by a landing on a make shift dirt runway in the town of Macuabas. We met our team and embarked on a 14 hr drive over dirt roads.

As we drove through the desert terrain, we were taken by the sudden change to a green valley. We witnessed the full color spectrum, an array of blues from the sky, greenery from the valley and warm desert colors from the terrain. It was a moment in time that transported us away from all the struggles of the day allowing us to appreciate the breathtaking scenery around us. Then we began our ascension to the end of our quest. The Portuguese word for high is Alta; as we came to the end of our climb to witness this amazing material nestled into the side of this mountain, it was clear what the name of this material would have to be.

Finding a true white quartzite is extremely rare. This material evokes the gentle elegance of a fine Italian marble without the additional maintenance. Picking the very first and best blocks out of this quarry is a memory that will be cherished for a lifetime – Please help us welcome Alta Quartzite!

Stone Stories

The Story Behind the Stone – Verde Antique

Verde Antique, the world’s finest serpentine, is born right here in the USA and has been quarried in the green mountains of central Vermont for over a 100 years! Verde Antique is often referred to as “marble”, while it has the warmth and look of marble, it is actually harder and less porous than many types of granite. It’s low absorption rate and flexural strength makes it a favorite among architects, designers and builders on projects throughout the world. It can be found in kitchens, courthouses, museums and many commercial buildings.

Verde Antique’s signature green and metallic flecked surface, complimented by white and light green veining, makes it a widely sought element in distinctive residential projects. Every block that’s quarried has unique features to complement your project. Unlike marble, Verde Antique naturally stands up to culinary acid exposure and resists staining. In fact, over 100 years of Verde Antique interior and exterior installations worldwide still retain their original finishes and beauty. Being family owned and operated in Rochester, Vermont, along with strategically placed warehouses in nearby Hancock; ensure the time honored quality of local Vermont craftsmanship for your special project. This also allows the ability to supply custom sizes and different finishes, with short lead times – from small scale local kitchens, to major international projects.

Please help us welcome – Vermont Verde Antique!

Natural Stone, Slabs, Stone Stories

The Story Behind the Stone – Iceberg Extra

Some say it’s better to be lucky than good, and that may be true – but no matter what, we believe hard work always pays off in the end! Iceberg Extra has a similar story to tell on how this wonderful white quartz was discovered. Our good friend and explorer, Maxwell, was on a quest in Brazil searching for Emerald Quartzite. The land he was exploring is very well known for the emerald and therefore very well guarded. The heavy abundance of emerald bandits made his journey very dangerous; however, what he ended up finding is a story for the ages.

Located in the NW region of Bahia, Brazil – Maxwell was lost in the middle of nowhere, when all of a sudden; he stumbled upon the largest deposit of white quartz in the entire world. His loooong adventure and hard work finally paid off in LARGE dividends as this quarry of white quartz is unlike anything anyone has ever seen. Production out of this quarry is very limited due to the level of difficulty to get to this desolate area. Our exclusive relationship with Maxwell gives us first priority when it comes to looking at their most exclusive blocks. Come see the finest white quartz in the world – Iceberg Extra .

Stone Stories

The Story Behind the Stone – Statuario Cava 103

Equivalent to the batch number on a bottle of well aged scotch, the Statuario Cava 103 stamps the same type of exclusive richness. The “103” originates from the name of the quarry which produces this most sought after white marble. The historical quarry, Calocara 103, sits high up in a mountain and overlooks the beautiful city of Carrara, Italy.

Batch 103 is known for its stark white background and medium grain structure. The balance of its veins, coupled with its evenly distributed pattern, is what makes these set of blocks so extraordinary, proclaiming them the king of all whites! Our generational relationships allow us exclusive rights to the first selection of blocks. This is how we ensure that you will be receiving the most luxurious slabs of Statuario Cava 103.

Category: Stone Stories