Material Guide
Natural Stone TypesComplete Guide
Explore 15 natural stone types from marble and granite to exotic quartzite and onyx. Learn about characteristics, applications, and global sources.
Most Popular Stone Types
Marble
Hardness: 3-4 (Mohs scale)
Marble is a metamorphic rock formed when limestone is subjected to heat and pressure. Prized for millennia for its beaut...
Limestone
Hardness: 3-4 (Mohs scale)
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate. It's one of the most versatile building materia...
Granite
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale)
Granite is an igneous rock formed from slowly cooled magma deep within the earth's crust. Known for its exceptional hard...
Travertine
Hardness: 4 (Mohs scale)
Travertine is a form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs. Its characteristic pitted surfac...
Onyx
Hardness: 3 (Mohs scale)
Onyx is a translucent stone formed in caves as stalactites and stalagmites from dripping mineral-rich water. Its dramati...
Quartz
Hardness: 7 (Mohs scale)
Natural quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth, appearing in many stone types. Pure quartz crystals are pr...
Stone Types by Durability
Hard Stones (6-8 Mohs) — Best for high-traffic areas
Medium Hardness (4-5 Mohs) — Versatile applications
Soft Stones (3-4 Mohs) — Luxury and decorative use
Complete Stone Directory (A-Z)
Manage Any Stone Type
Noria Strata supports all natural stone types with specialized tools including spectral color matching for accurate batch consistency and LiDAR scanning for precise dimensions.