Natural stone is appreciated very much as a material for both interior architecture and product design (everyday objects). The ideas of the leading companies and designers in this field are mainly shown at furniture fairs or during so-called of Design Weeks. Here we present their current collections at the Salone del Mobile in Milan (April 15 – 20, 2024). They can be seen as the Haute Couture of the stone branch, so to speak, even if some of the examples are suitable for everyday use in the sense of Prêt-à-Porter. In the coming months, we will present the collections in detail. Tomorrow, in a ..read more

The project entitled “Construir en Piedra Hoy“ (Building with Natural Stone Today) also focused on the ecological strengths of the material Natural stone companies that want to attract budding architects usually invite students to visit their quarries and workshops. The Spanish company Rosal Stones has now gone a big step further by inviting budding planners to take part in a practical project, namely the reproduction of an architectural highlight from Spain. This combined basic knowledge of traditional craftsmanship with the architectural wealth of the region and the ecological characteristi ..read more

Name of the stone: Marjan Silver Travertine Stone type: Travertine Color: Silver Quarry location: Miandoab, West Azerbaijan Province / Iran Description of the stone: Marjan Silver Travertine is an exquisite natural stone renowned for its timeless elegance and sophisticated appeal. Characterized by a silver-gray color slab with subtle veining, this luxurious travertine adds a touch of refined beauty to any space: it embodies the essence of sophistication, creating an ambiance of understated luxury in your living spaces. Peculiarities of the stone: Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Marjan Silver Tr ..read more

Under its President Maria Porro, Milan’s major event for the furniture industry is applying the industry mantra of creativity to itself In the press announcements for the 62nd Salone del Mobile in Milan (April 15 – 21, 2024), there were several obvious indications that this largest and most important furniture trade fair in the world has set off for new shores under its President Maria Porro. A “cultural program beyond furniture“ was announced, as well as “Disseminating information and training are fundamental moments for the growth of its community.“ In other words: Maria Porro, in the highe ..read more

Ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders will also be featured Dust of differing particle sizes and compositions is released during many work steps in the processing of natural stone and industrially produced building materials such as ceramics and quartz composite material, as well as in cement or concrete processing. Depending on the material, experience has shown that this mineral mixed dust contains fine quartz dust as well. Pneumoconiosis is caused by the inhalation of inorganic dust. Quartz dust can also lead to silicosis and cause lung cancer. The importance of protection against dust ..read more

Some 125,000 years ago, Neanderthals deliberately hunted down and slaughtered European straight-tusked elephants (Palaeoloxodon antiquus). This is the result of new research on bone finds of these huge animals, which grew to a height of four meters and were larger than modern elephants. Prehistoric humans were mainly able to kill old male specimens, as they lived away from the protection of the herds and the hunters worked together. Cooperation was also needed to utilize the giant prey. They used stone tools for this purpose. These new findings have been brought to light by researchers from th ..read more

At a parliamentary evening in Berlin, representatives from the German construction industry and politics learned about the possibilities of the material The term is ambitious but covers the topic in its entirety: there was talk of a “renaissance of natural stone“ as a building material at a parliamentary evening in Berlin at the beginning of April 2024, where representatives from politics and the construction industry met to discuss a climate-friendly reorientation of construction. This is because the Renaissance in the 16th century brought about a completely new way of thinking – what is new ..read more

Name of the stone: Hermes Grey Stone type: Marble Color: bright grey with white veins Quarry location: Qingyuan, China Description of the stone: Hermes Grey marble typically features a sophisticated grey background with intricate veining in varying shades of grey, white, and sometimes hints of beige or gold. The veining patterns can range from subtle and delicate to bold and dramatic, adding depth and visual interest to the stone. Peculiarities of the stone: Due to its durability and aesthetic appeal, Hermes Grey Marble is often chosen for high-end residential and commercial projects. It is ..read more

The China Stone Material Association CSMA) organized excursions for architects to the surroundings of the fair city As part of the Xiamen Stone Fair, the China Stone Material Association (CSMA) invited architects to visit companies in the vicinity of the fair as well as places of interest there. Its members include representatives from both the natural stone and artificial stone sectors. We were invited like last year. The first destination this time was the South Putuo Temple (Nanputo Temple) in the urban area of Xiamen. The temple dates back to the year 900. Alongside its counterpart in th ..read more

“Horizontal“ quarrying might have a positive effect Sometimes unusual things come together in natural stone quarrying. In this case, it is about a study of fauna and flora in a Spanish site and an innovative form of extraction. We are talking about the company Rosal Stones, which extracts limestone and sandstone in the Murcia region and has recently started using the horizontal method in hard limestone quarries. One after the other. In 2023, the company commissioned the environmental organization Camp Altiplano to draw up an inventory of the animals and plants in its San Cosme quarry. The Aba ..read more