Stone has been used by man for construction purposes for several thousand years. Geology, which seeks to describe and explain these materials, is a relatively new science, having developed largely since the early 1800s.

 As a consequence the nomenclature employed by the construction industry is often scientifically inaccurate.

The main groups of stone of interest to  the stone industry are as follows: 

Limestones / Sandstones – Sedimentary Rocks

 Marbles / Slates – Metamorphic Rocks

 Granites - Igneous Rocks