The buying guide we wish we had.

The six stones we work with.

Marble

The classic. Calcite-based, soft enough to carve into dramatic curves (Mohs 3), known for veining and crystalline shimmer. We source Carrara, Calacatta, and Statuario from the Apuan Alps in Tuscany — the same beds Michelangelo used — plus Turkish marbles like Afyon White and Mu\u011fla.

Best for: Formal baths, statement vessel sinks, dining tables, fireplace surrounds. Watch for: Etches from acidic spills (wine, citrus, vinegar). Seal yearly.

Travertine

Born from hot springs over millennia. Honeycomb-pored on the surface (filled or unfilled), warm cream-to-rust tones. Mohs 4 — harder than marble. Denizli, where our atelier sits, has some of the world's finest travertine quarries.

Best for: Mediterranean and modern-rustic spaces, powder rooms, outdoor patios, accent walls. Watch for: Open pores can collect grime. Filled-and-honed finish is easier to maintain.

Limestone

Sedimentary calcite from ancient sea beds. Soft, uniform color, often fossil-flecked. Mohs 3. We source Turkish and Italian limestones for their consistent grain and warm beige-to-grey palette.

Best for: Soft, organic-modern spaces; honed bath surrounds; vessel sinks where a calm look matters more than dramatic veining. Watch for: Porous. Seal yearly and clean spills fast.

Onyx

The luminous one. Banded, translucent, sometimes backlit dramatically in spas and hotels. Despite the looks, it's actually quite hard (Mohs 7). Comes in honey, green, white, and red bands.

Best for: Statement vessel sinks, backlit accent walls, bathroom feature pieces where light interaction matters. Watch for: Banded structure can have natural fissures — these are authentic, not defects.

Granite

The workhorse. Igneous, quartz-and-feldspar based, very hard (Mohs 6–7), dense and resistant. Coarse-grained pattern, comes in greys, blacks, blues, browns. We source primarily Turkish granites with select Italian options.

Best for: Kitchen surfaces, high-traffic vanities, outdoor installations, anywhere durability outranks softness. Watch for: Very little. Seal every 18–24 months and it shrugs off most abuse.

Basalt

Volcanic, dense, deep grey-to-black. Mohs 5–6. Tight, fine grain almost reads as a single tone from a distance, with subtle texture up close. Modern, monolithic feel.

Best for: Modern minimalist baths, dark accent walls, outdoor sinks, monolithic dining tables. Watch for: Mid-tier porosity. Seal every 18–24 months.

Edge profiles.

• Eased: Soft 1–2mm chamfer. Most common, subtle.
• Mitered: 45-degree corner join. Creates a thick, monolithic look. Premium.
• Bullnose: Fully rounded edge. Traditional, soft to the touch.
• Ogee: S-shaped decorative profile. Classic, formal.
• Live edge: Natural quarry edge preserved. Organic, rustic. Best on slab tables and live-edge vanity tops.

How to choose.

Start with the room. Heavy daily use? Granite or basalt. Decorative statement piece? Marble or onyx. Wet area with regular spills? Limestone or travertine — just stay on top of sealing. Outdoor? Granite or basalt.

Then match the finish to your maintenance tolerance. Polished marble is gorgeous but shows every water spot. Honed travertine looks weathered and forgives almost everything.

If you're still unsure, order our $25 sample pack. Photos can't show how stone reflects light, how it feels under your hand, or how it reads against your existing tile and paint. Samples can.