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Slab Shop
Twelve stones, compared

Natural Stone Slabs

Match the stone to how you live, then see full slabs at a showroom near you.

Natural stone is quarried from the earth and cut into blocks and processed into slabs which are then fabricated into all types of items for residential homes and commercial applications. Each stone species has its own special characteristics, such as hardness, porosity, and chemical resistance, which are key factors in determining where it is best used. Granite and quartzite handle heavy use. Marble and dolomite deliver beauty and surprising durability. Limestone and travertine are amazing choices for a serene spa style bath. Crystallo quartzite, onyx and even some translucent marbles like Lilac are made for backlit feature walls. Choosing well means matching the stone's properties to the application in addition to overall appearance.

Compare all twelve at a glance

All values in this table must match the confirmed figures on the individual stone pages. Do not let them drift apart.

Stone

Mohs

Etches

Best known for

Typical use

Granite

6–7

No

All-round durability

Kitchens, bath, high use areas

Quartzite

7

No

All-round durability

Kitchens, bath, high use areas, fireplaces

Marble

3–4

Yes

Classic and timeless

Kitchens, bath, fireplaces, tabletops

Dolomite

3.5–4

Less prone than marble, or more

Marble look, more resilient

Kitchens, bath, fireplaces, tabletops

Basalt

5–6

No

Uniform dark field

Kitchens, bath, high use areas, fireplaces

Limestone

3–4

Yes

Quiet matte warmth

Bath, wall cladding, floors

Travertine

3–4

Yes

Earthy, spa-like

Bath, wall cladding, floors

Soapstone

1–3

No

Chemically inert, heat and stain resistant

Kitchens, high use areas, fireplaces

Onyx

3–4

Yes

Backlit translucency

Feature walls, bars, hospitality

Calcite

3

Yes

Backlit translucency

Feature walls, bars, hospitality

How to choose

Start with the application, your lifestyle and expectations. By matching the right material to the right application—like placing a gorgeous marble in a powder room and a highly durable quartzite on a busy kitchen island—you can confidently choose a beautiful slab that will serve you perfectly for years to come.

Understand etching separately from staining. Staining is absorption and an impregnating sealer fills in the microscopic voids in the stone to prevent absorption, allowing you to wipe up spills as they stay on top of the stone. Etching is a chemical reaction with carbonate stone that sealing does not prevent.

Why buy from a direct source distributor

Evolv Surfaces offers natural stone products, with showrooms in Berkeley, Las Vegas, and Tukwila where full slabs can be viewed and approved before fabrication.

FAQs

Quartzite and granite may be the undisputed champions of the busy kitchen, but marble and dolomite are much stronger than you might expect. When properly sealed, all of these stones can be very durable options.

Granite, quartzite, basalt, and soapstone are resistant to household acids. All carbonate stones — marble, dolomite, limestone, travertine, onyx, and calcite — have potential to etch.

Quartzite and granite for maximum durability, soapstone for a stain-proof surface that ages gracefully, and marble where patina is welcome.

Most does, at varying intervals. Soapstone is the exception — it is non-porous, so sealer cannot penetrate and serves no purpose.

Stone slabs sold in showrooms are almost always intended for indoor applications.

Reach out to Evolv Surfaces to set an appointment and we can stage the slabs you are interested in side by side so you can evaluate and view each option with your other samples for paint, tile, fabrics or cabinetry you have collected for your project.

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