Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best stone for my kitchen counter tops - Granite or Marble?

Granite is the ideal stone for kitchen counter tops. Because of the way granite is formed in the earth (see Types of Stone) it is extremely hard. You can actually chop vegetables right on the counter top without damaging the surface, however you may damage your knives as the stone is harder than the knife blades and can dull them. Also, the hard, non porous surface of granite is resistant to acid staining from common foods such as lemon juice, tomatoes, tomato sauce, red wine, and vinegar. Marble however, is not as hard as granite. Over time, the polished surface will dull in areas where pans get pushed around or vegetables get chopped, or just from water standing on the counter top. Also, because of the calcium carbonate make up of marble, it is very susceptible to acid staining and etching. The exception would be green marble. Green marbles like Hualien Jade from Taiwan, Verde San Remo from Italy, or Verde Antique from Vermont are all excellent marble choices for the kitchen. These stones are not actually marble, but a different stone called Serpentine and are extremely hard and resistant to acid staining and etching. Slabs of Carrara, a white marble with an extremely smooth, glass-like surface are commonly used by candy makers to cool candy and pastry chefs to roll out dough. Back to the top

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What should I use to clean my stone surfaces?

To clean stone surfaces, use a mild, soap and water solution and dry completely after washing. For stone floors, dust mop often. Dirt from shoes can be abrasive and dull the finish of the floors. You should never use any abrasive scrubs or cleansers on the surface of your stone - these will remove the finish. Also, do not use acidic, citrus, or vinegar cleaners as these will etch the finish of the stone. In the shower, use a squeegee daily to avoid soap scum build up. Use a non-acidic soap scum remover to clean any residue or build up. On a marble vanity top, clean with soap and water and then occasionally apply a coat of non-yellowing marble wax to protect the surface. To clean our granite kitchen counters at home, we wipe them down with a warm wet wash cloth with a small amount of liquid dish soap. We occasionally spray the granite counter tops with Windex and wipe them dry with a cotton towel. Back to the top

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	How often should I seal my stone surfaces?
	We recommend sealing all stone surfaces once a year with an appropriate stone sealer. Back to the top

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I’ve noticed some small pits in the surface of the stone I have selected for my project... do all stones have these?

Natural stones, like granite, travertine, marble, limestone, etc. are not uniformly manmade - they are created naturally in the earth over hundreds and thousands of years. These pits are not imperfections or flaws in the stone, they are simply a result of the natural process of stone formation. These pits are sometimes more noticeable in granite which is composed of quartz and mica. Some stones are more pitted than others usually depending on the coarseness or “tightness” of the grain. Most pits on the polished surface of a slab are filled with a clear resin at the time the slabs are polished at the quarry. If a pit is visible on the surface of your stone, it can be filled with a color matched epoxy. Back to the top

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I would like to have a small table top made... do I have to buy an entire slab of stone?

No. Cacallori Marble sells stone material from our inventory by the square foot so you only pay for what your project requires. Cacallori Marble has a wide range of stones to choose from for your project. However, if you do choose to buy your stone from another local distributor for us to fabricate and install for you, we will then purchase the number of slabs needed for your project. Back to the top