Materials: Stone & Gold

We work with a variety of sources for raw materials to meet the goals of each project. It is common to expect a lead time of a few weeks to a few months for a custom piece of stone to be cut, so patience and planning are essential in our process. Each kind of stone has its own particular attributes. Below are some of the common varieties of stone that we generally prefer to work with, for their durability and lasting qualities.

Marble

Marble is a crystallized morphology of limestone, that has been subjected to heat and pressure, which creates the conditions for its transformation from sedimentary rock into a brilliant white stone with higher density that holds greater detail. Marble can be found in a variety of shades and compositions. Impurities in the initial limestone sediment can result in veins of grey colorants that offset the pure white of the stone. This is common in Italian Carrara Marble, whereas Colorado Yule Marble can be found as a brilliant, pure white throughout. Ultimately, the desired look comes down to personal preference.

Slate

Domestic sources of slate suitable for carving are generally found on the Atlantic coast, with sources in Virginia, New York, Vermont and Maine. A fine sedimentary stone, slate can be carved to a higher degree of detail than the more granular limestone, and can be left in its natural state, painted or gilded using 23.5k gold. A wide spectrum of natural slate colors are available, ranging from greys, greens and purples to red and black, with many different variations in between. The color range of slate makes a profound visual impact when gilded.

Limestone

Limestone is a common type of stone that is comprised of the calcium carbonate-based shells and remains of ancient sea organisms. Native limestone is generally found in a variety of light colors that range from warm earth tones to cool greys, and may contain a variety of striations or fossilized inclusions, depending on the specific source material. Limestone is found all around the world, while our preferred stone originates in multiple locations across the mainland US. Limestone is often used in structural architecture and holds a great deal of detail, while still imparting a soft, natural feel to any project.

Gold

23.5k gold leaf and other precious metals, such as palladium and platinum, can be applied to a finished carving. Certain types of stone are appropriate for gilding, like marble and slate, as the carved surface can be extremely fine and detailed. Gold shines brightest on darker stones due to the higher contrast between the stone and the mirror-like gilded finish. Rough or highly porous stones like limestone are not ideal for gold leaf.