Resources · Buying Guide
Last updated October 2026What each stone is, where it's best used, which countries to source it from, when to buy and what it costs to import.
Recrystallised limestone prized for its veining and glow. Unbeatable for bathrooms, feature walls and statement floors, but it etches with acids.
Best to buy: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
Crystalline igneous stone that shrugs off scratches, heat and acids. The world's go-to for countertops, stairs, paving and cladding.
Best to buy: Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Metamorphosed sandstone fused into near-solid quartz. Premium kitchens love it for marble-like veining that doesn't etch.
Best to buy: May–Oct
Banded limestone formed at mineral springs, with signature holes. A favourite for patios, pool decks and warm, relaxed interiors.
Best to buy: Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Fossil-rich sedimentary stone in creams, honeys and blue-greys. Architects' choice for serene interiors and monumental façades.
Best to buy: Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Cemented quartz sand in greys, buffs and rusts. The world's favourite patio stone, with grip built into its grain.
Best to buy: Oct–Mar
Fine metamorphic stone that splits into thin sheets. The premium roofing material, and a rustic, slip-resistant floor and wall stone.
Best to buy: Jan–Mar, Oct–Nov
Banded calcite with extraordinary translucency. Backlit, it turns bars, walls and desks into light sculptures.
Best to buy: Apr–May, Sep–Nov
Fine-grained volcanic rock in charcoal to black. UV-stable, hard-wearing and ideal for paving, pools and minimalist façades.
Best to buy: Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Talc-rich stone that ignores acids and heat. Beloved for farmhouse sinks, wood stoves and lab benches.
Best to buy: May–Oct
A trade name for several blue-grey stones: Belgian and Irish limestones, American sandstone and Asian limestones and basalts.
Best to buy: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
Crushed quartz bound in resin: uniform colour, no sealing. Check silica rules and US trade remedies before you buy.
Best to buy: Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct
Large-format fired mineral slabs with no resin. Survives hot pans, sun and spills; ideal for kitchens, façades and furniture.
Best to buy: Mar–May, Sep–Nov
At a glance
Hardness, acid sensitivity and where each stone performs. Open a guide for the full picture.
| Stone | Mohs | Etches with acid | Kitchen worktop | Outdoors | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3–4 | Yes | Avoid | With care | Premium |
| 6–7 | No | Great | Great | Mid-range |
| 7 | No | Great | Great | Luxury |
| 3–4 | Yes | Avoid | With care | Mid-range |
| 3–4 | Yes | Avoid | With care | Mid-range |
| Varies | Some | Avoid | Great | Budget |
| 2.5–4 | Some | With care | Great | Mid-range |
| 3 | Yes | Avoid | Avoid | Luxury |
| 6 | No | With care | Great | Mid-range |
| 1–3 | No | With care | With care | Premium |
| Varies | Some | Avoid | Great | Mid-range |
| 7 | No | Great | Avoid | Mid-range |
| 6–7 | No | Great | Great | Premium |
Photos from Wikimedia Commons contributors under open licences. Photo credits
