Mr.Building Material

Stone can be defined as a mass or a hard solid substance which is formed of several minerals, often found under the earth's crust. Hundreds and thousands of varieties of stones have been dug out of various quarries since long times back. The minerals of which a stone is formed have the same source as of the earth's minerals. Majority of these minerals are characterized by their solidity, hue, and crystal formation. Although many stones are similar in appearance, they differ in some way or the other.

It is essential to contemplate on the type of stone that we want to maintain. Stone is a natural substance, we can't say what type of reaction will the chemicals and cleaning agents cause to it. Most of the stones are natural alkalies like soil and dirt; this is why stone and dirt get attracted to each other, making the purification process arduous. Thus, it is very crucial to adopt the right procedure and to select the right chemical for the purpose of cleansing.

Reflectivity of Stone
The reason for the reflection of light from a stone's surface or you can say the reason behind the glimmering appearance of the stones placed as flooring in your house or elsewhere is the natural crystals that a stone possesses. Heavy foot traffic and sediment may abrade these crystals. Above all, the sediment and grit that settle down on the stone surface cause the major damage to its crystals. All this results in a faded look of the stone.

The smoothness and shimmering look of the stones' surface can be retained by polishing them with diamond abrasives. Polishing powders can also be used for this purpose. The crystals not really get spoiled due to sediment, they actually get fractured when this sediment is crushed against the stone's surface through excessive foot pressure. To prevent this, sediment should be removed from the floor by using a dust mop or vacuum cleaner. Thorough entrance matting can also prevent the exterior sediment from entering the building.

Hardness of Stone
If we talk about marble, it is a soft stone. It sounds strange, but it is the truth. Although marble seems to be a hard stone for many, it counts only three out of ten in hardness. Actually, just like our teeth, marble is composed of calcium. Our teeth are sensitive to hard substances and things like sugar. If we eat a hard substance our teeth may break. Similarly, too much sugar eating may cause cavity. The stone (in this case marble) also reacts likewise. It may develop cracks due to regular abrasion by sediments, grit, etc. Also, corrosion may begin to form cavities in the stone, if its surface is exposed to improper chemical.