Northstar Surfaces: Natural Stone from Ground to Grand Design

Few materials can even come close to rivaling the beauty, durability, and versatility of stone. From granite and marble to quartzite and soapstone, nature offers a wealth of attractive options that truly stand the test of time.

How does rock, formed over the course of centuries or even millennia, go from quarry to your home?

THE PROCESS FOR OBTAINING NATURAL STONE

Part science, part art, the process for obtaining natural stone starts with location, location, location. Rocks are everywhere – but sourcing stones like granite, marble, and quartzite requires careful planning. Quarries must be located where the stones naturally occur, of course, and ideally, they are near efficient routes for transport to manufacturers.

Geological surveys, exploratory probes, and in-depth expertise into the terrain are required when finding an optimal location. Before a quarry can be established, the owners must ensure that proper steps are taken and strategies implemented to minimize environmental and community impacts. There are also extensive permitting and regulatory processes.

Most natural stones are mined in generally the same way: big blocks are cut out of the quarry using diamond-studded, high-speed equipment. This has made the process of obtaining natural stone much more efficient, streamlined, and safe. Once extracted, they are sent off to cutting and finishing facilities, where the blocks are cut into slabs suitable for both commercial and residential use. This is what you will see when you visit the Northstar showroom.

Northstar Surfaces specialize in unique stone that cannot be found anywhere else – and they personally inspect each and every slab to deliver the highest quality. Talk to your stone fabricator or designer about visiting the Northstar showroom to view their stunning natural stone inventory and to discuss your project.