There are numerous stone options for any given project, however, not all stones are suitable for specific applications. It's important to understand which stone types best fit your application. Ivey Lane can guide you in the selection of the right stone for the job. You can find more detail on the most commonly used stones and their properties, sizing, etc. by clicking on the links to the right.

Rock Formation
The rock forming the earth's crust generally falls into three generic groups: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.  Heat, pressure, and chemical reactions may change either igneous or sedimentary rock into metamorphic rock (meaning "changed in form"), resulting in a more compact and crystalline condition. Even metamorphic rocks may be further altered to higher ranks of metamorphism.

Rocks may become plastic under great pressure and high temperature caused by movement in the earth's crust. They may be folded into complex forms with a banded structure.  Many constituent minerals may be dissolved, transported, and reprecipitated by thermal waters. This intense heat and pressure may cause recrystallization.

In this way, new rocks are formed, differing widely from the igneous or sedimentary types in that they are usually much harder.  Thus, shales and related rocks may be altered into slate, and limestones into marbles.