Stone World articles from July 2008

Stone World archives from July 2008

Supporting the truth about granite.(STONE COLUMN)
July 1, 2008... For those of you who don't already know the "scare tactics" regarding granite and radon are out there once again. Basically, it's the same old re-run from years ago: "Are granite countertops killing innocent families? We don't know, but we're...

New study confirms commonly used granite is safe for countertops ...(NEWSLINE)(Report)
July 1, 2008... A new study of the most popular granites used for kitchen countertops in the U.S. concludes that granite is safe to use in kitchens. The study, designed to determine whether radon gas sometimes released by natural stone poses any health...

Moraware announces availability of JobTracker version 2.4 ...(NEWSLINE)
July 1, 2008... Moraware JobTracker version 2.4 is available with new features that enable communication between more people -within the company, on the road or with customers. This update allows users of the system to give their customers access to...

VIC International establishes new Web site ...(NEWSLINE)(Website overview)
July 1, 2008... VIC International is now offering a new e-commerce Web site named--"buyVIC.com"--that offers exclusive pricing to fabrication shops for greater profitability and efficiency. "Our 'buyVIC.com' site allows the fabrication shop owners the...

American Institute of Architects-Las Vegas endorses StonExpo ...(NEWSLINE)
July 1, 2008... The Las Vegas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) recently signed an agreement to become an Official Endorser of StonExpo 2008 and will co-locate its annual product show with StonExpo, which will be held from October 15 to 18...

In the article entitled "Carrying on the tradition of Lessinia Stone," which ran on page 122 in the May 2008 issue of Stone World, it was stated that Lessinia Stone is a soft material, and as a result, easy to extract.(ONE LINERS ...)(Correction notice)
July 1, 2008... In the article entitled "Carrying on the tradition of Lessinia Stone," which ran on page 122 in the May 2008 issue of Stone World, it was stated that Lessinia Stone is a soft material, and as a result, easy to extract. This, in fact, is...

The MIA announced that applications are being accepted for the MIA Natural Stone Scholarship Award for aspiring fabricators, installers or administrative personnel interested in furthering their careers within the natural stone industry.(ONE LINERS ...)
July 1, 2008... The MIA announced that applications are being accepted for the MIA Natural Stone Scholarship Award for aspiring fabricators, installers or administrative personnel interested in furthering their careers within the natural stone industry. The...

As part of its product development and testing program, Diamax had its Cyclone Dry Core Bit tested by an independent ISO/IEC 17025-accredited industrial testing laboratory--Environlabs of Minneapolis, MN.(ONE LINERS ...)
July 1, 2008... As part of its product development and testing program, Diamax had its Cyclone Dry Core Bit tested by an independent ISO/IEC 17025-accredited industrial testing laboratory--Environlabs of Minneapolis, MN. According to Diamax, the bit drilled...

Tektonica, a major construction and public works exhibition in Lisbon, Portugal, took place from May 20 to 24, and it included 874 exhibitors and more than 90,000 professional visitors.(ONE LINERS ...)
July 1, 2008... Tektonica, a major construction and public works exhibition in Lisbon, Portugal, took place from May 20 to 24, and it included 874 exhibitors and more than 90,000 professional visitors. The event included a range of stone and masonry exhibits...

Imago Trade Shows, a division of Atlanta, GA-based Imago Productions, Inc., and BNP Media (Stone World's parent company) have joined forces to launch a new trade show serving the Disaster Reconstruction Industry.(ONE LINERS ...)
July 1, 2008... Imago Trade Shows, a division of Atlanta, GA-based Imago Productions, Inc., and BNP Media (Stone World's parent company) have joined forces to launch a new trade show serving the Disaster Reconstruction Industry. The National Disaster...

March 2008: imports to the U.S.(STATISTICS)
July 1, 2008... March 2008 | Imports t0 the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE MARBLE * U.S. $ TONS U.S. $ TONS ARAB...

March 2008: exports from the U.S.(STATISTICS)(Statistical table)
July 1, 2008... STATISTICS March 2008 | Exports from the U.S. Customers value in dollars does not include insurance or freight COUNTRY GRANITE MARBLE * U.S. $ TONS U.S. $...

Comandulli USA opens new facility.(NEWS)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... HOUSTON, TX -- Comandulli USA, one of North America's best solutions for stone fabrication needs, recently relocated to a new, state-of-the-art facility in Houston, TX. The new facility contains over 6,000 square feet of space, including...

The Charles Luck Stone Center celebrates stone and style.(NEWS)
July 1, 2008... RICHMOND, VA -- From April 21 to 22, 2008, the Charles Luck Stone Center (Charles Luck), a division of Luck Stone Corp., introduced ELEMENTS 2008, a night filled with beautiful stone and couture inspired by elements of stone, fashion and...

Laticrete appoints Contractor Sales Manager.(NEWS)
July 1, 2008... BETHANY, CT -- Laticrete, a global leader in the manufacturing of innovative systems for the installation of ceramic tile and stone, has appointed Adnan Bin-Mahfouz to the newly created position of Contractor Sales Manager. All Adnan...

Stony Creek ships classic granite blocks to Italy.(NEWS)(Stony Creek Quarry Corp's partnership with Nikolaus Bagnara Ltd. )
July 1, 2008... STONY CREEK, CT -- Recently, four 25-ton premium Stony Creek Classic granite blocks, quarried at the local Stony Creek Quarry, sailed aboard the vessel Ital Oceana from the port of Norfolk, VA, to the port of Livorno, Italy. With this new...

A long-time producer of Texas limestone: in business since 1929, Texas Quarries of Cedar Park, TX, continues to quarry and fabricate limestone for both residential and commercial projects nationwide.(RE-EMERGING U.S. STONE INDUSTRY)(Company overview)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For nearly 80 years, Texas Quarries has been a reliable source of Texas limestone. With two quarries and a large-scale fabrication mill, the Cedar Park, TX-based operation has been producing Cordova and Lueders...

High-end machinery helps shop meet market demands: for Michael Homchick Stoneworks, Inc. of Kenmore, WA, achieving the detailed requests of its upscale market means depending on advanced machinery.(Fabricator Case Study)(Company overview)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The owner of a successful stone fabrication company that bears his name, Michael Homchick has worked in the stone industry for more than 30 years. The current facilities for Michael Homchick Stoneworks, Inc. in...

Building a showroom to allure the elite residential market: Til-Mar Designs of Philadelphia, PA, recently expanded the scope of its business to include a showroom--providing an arena for customers to select materials and design their residential projects.(Fabricator Case Study: SHOP UPDATE)(Company overview)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Til-Mar Designs of Philadelphia, PA, has experienced several transformations since it first opened for business in 1996. Owned by the father-and-son team of Thomas Giordano Sr. and Thomas Giordano Jr., the company...

Working with fragile materials: this step-by-step account details all of the processes taken to handle and fabricate a kitchen countertop from Rainforest Brown marble.(Fabricator: ISSUES & SOLUTIONS)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As homeowners continue to look for countertop materials made from exotic stone materials, fabricators are being asked to work with fragile materials more than ever before. This past spring, skilled stoneworking...

Seam setting and top polishing: as part of an extensive workshop, stoneworking professionals from the Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA) offered a demonstration of seam setting and top polishing techniques.(Fabricator: ISSUES & SOLUTIONS)(Conference notes)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This past spring, stone fabricators from around the country gathered at Cadenza Granite & Marble Inc. in Concord, NC, for a Stone Fabricators Alliance (SFA) Workshop. As part of the extensive program, two SFA members...

Vertical Integration in the stoneworking shop: by taking a "production line" approach to shop layout, a stone fabrication company can maximize its output and overall efficiency.(Fabricator: ISSUES & SOLUTIONS)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In many cases in the past, the method of setting up a granite or stone processing shop was to simply place equipment in any available open space--with no thought given to material flow. Usually, the material slab...

Ceara's diverse stone industry: located in the Northeast of Brazil, the state of Ceara is home to a broad range of exotic and traditional stone materials--as well as a range of stoneworking facilities.(Report from Brazil: Ceara)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The state of Ceara Brazil, is situated on the Northeastern coast of Brazil along the Atlantic Ocean, right below the equator. And while the general public may recognize the state for its beaches and warm weather, the...

Exploring the quarries of Ceara: a vast range of quarry sites for exotic and traditional stone can be found among the hillsides, mountaintops and valleys of Ceara, Brazil.(Report from Brazil: Ceara)
July 1, 2008... A few hours outside the city of Fortaleza, Brazil--which is renowned for its pristine beaches--stone aficionados can find a seemingly endless range of quarry sites for exotic materials as well as traditional stones. Most of the quarries...

A large-scale quarrier in Ceara and beyond: in addition to the massive quarry for Ceara White granite in Ceara, Granistone operates a range of quarries for exotic materials in neighboring states.(Report from Brazil: Ceara)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Founded in 1989, Granistone has developed into one of the largest granite and marble extraction companies in Brazil. The company headquarters are located in Fazenda Lagoana, Santa Quiteria,...

A pioneer in Brazilian exotics: located in the state of Ceara, Brazil, near the city of Fortaleza, Granos S/A is well positioned as a quarrier and supplier of exotic slab materials.(Report from Brazil: Ceara)(Company overview)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Granos S/A of Caucaia, Ceara, Brazil, near the city of Fortaleza, was founded 20 years ago by Francisco Silveira, whose background included work in the residential construction sector. In the course of his work, he...

Prepared to expand its market base: with new machinery investments and a presence at overseas trade shows, Rochetec of Fortaleza, Brazil, is gearing itself for export to the international marketplace.(Report from Brazil: Ceara)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Amid the horse and cattle ranches just outside of Fortaleza, Brazil, lies the industrial compound for Rochetec, which processes granite and other stones into a variety of finished products. The company, which has...

A specialist in architectural stonework: located in the region of Fortaleza, the beachfront capital city of Ceard, Brazil, RL Marmore Granito processes high-end stonework from a broad range of materials.(Report from Brazil: Ceara)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Located in the region of Fortaleza, Brazil, with its many high-end projects along the beachfront and beyond, RL Marmore Granito has developed as a specialist for fabricating architectural stonework. In processing...

Recalling classic Sioux Falls architecture: once a prominent building material for architecture in Sioux Falls, SD, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, local quartzite makes a strong design statement for Cherapa Place--a six-story office building sitting on the East Bank of the Big Sioux River.(Stone in Architecture: COMMERCIAL)(Cover story)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designed as a six-story office building with underground parking, Cherapa Place in Sioux Falls, SD, is a throwback to the city's 19th-century architectural materials as well as a testament to modern construction. The...

Regional river stone helps complete sustainable objective: located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park of Tennessee, the Twin Creeks Science and Education Center utilized stone found in its region for both the exterior of the structure and for the foundation of the project site.(Stone in Architecture: INSTITUTIONAL)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Serving as a model for future National Park Service sites, the Twin Creeks Science and Education Center--located in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park of Tennessee--was built with sustainability in mind, and it...

Historic museum addition rediscovers Vermont marble: the recent renovation and expansion of the Detroit Institute of Arts involved extensive use of Montclair Danby marble from Vermont Quarries, which was selected to match the original 1920s building that was built from similar stone.(Stone in Architecture: INSTITUTIONAL)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Working with Michael Graves & Associates, Inc. of Princeton, NJ, in collaboration with SmithGroup's Detroit office, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) recently completed a $158.2 million, six-year renovation and...

Granite kitchen portrays oceanic colors: the kitchen of a private residence in Colorado was recently designed with an open concept in order to show off surrounding views, and granite countertops added to the overall design of the space.(Stone in Architecture: RESIDENTIAL)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In order to take advantage of the breathtaking views surrounding a private residence in Monument, CO, the kitchen of the home was designed with an open concept, featuring a large bay window and a free-flowing design,...

Balancing Old World architecture with modern luxury: a renovation of a palatial estate in Miami Beach, FL, utilized an extensive stone palette to achieve an elegant yet functional design.(Stone in Architecture: RESIDENTIAL)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Built in 1939, a private estate located on LaGorce Island--an upscale residential development in Miami Beach, FL--was recently renovated. The primary design intent for the project was to preserve the character of the...

Building with the environment in mind: in keeping with the concept of "Going Green," recent construction of a home in Austin, TX, involved extensive use of local stone materials.(Stone in Architecture: RESIDENTIAL)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When building a spec home in Austin, TX, Steve Wauson of Craftsman Homes of Austin adhered to a few design objectives. Above all, it was a priority to utilize as many natural materials as possible-making for...

Tips for stone shower installations: following a few simple steps when installing stone showers in places such as hotel rooms and spas will ensure a successful application.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When evaluating a hotel, the bathroom--and especially the shower--really make a statement about the quality and comfort of the room. Hospitality showers today are more than just necessary amenities. They can be...

Coverings 2008 enjoys a solid showing in Orlando: in the face of tough times in the building sector, Coverings 2008 saw solid attendance, and a generally high level of satisfaction among exhibitors.
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Despite generally poor economic reports, particularly in the housing market, the continued interest in stone and tile was reflected in the four-day turnout at Coverings 2008 at the Orange County Convention Center in...

2008 Prism Awards: the Prism Stone in Architecture Awards--presented at coverings 2008--showcased outstanding stone use in a variety of applications.(Awards list)
July 1, 2008... The Prism Awards were once again a part of the annual Coverings exhibition, which took JL place in Orlando, FL, from April 29 to May 2. Sponsored by Coverings and coordinated by the shows five sponsoring organizations, including ASCER (Spain's...

Calendar.(Calendar)
July 1, 2008... September 15 to 18, 2008 Stone World Fabrication Management Clinics, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (15th), Orlando, FL (16th), Atlanta, GA (18th). For more information, call 1-888-530-6714 or visit www.stoneworld. com/managementclinic. September...

Full line of stone-care products.(NEW PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2008... Granite Gold has recently doubled distribution for its full line of stone-care products, including a daily cleaner, polish, sealer and stone and tile floor cleaner. The daily cleaner is a streak-free formula that safely deep cleans...

Newly discovered stone.(NEW PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2008... Carved pieces of a newly discovered stone called Honeycomb calcite are now being offered by California sculptor, T Barny. Honeycomb calcite is an impressive and unique form of onyx. It is a translucent, luminous stone, which is mined...

ICE.(NEW PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Superior Stone Products has added another product to its lineup of merchandise for the natural stone industry. The new product, ICE, enhances the natural color and brilliance of stone and provides a "wet" look,...

Stone carriers.(NEW PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2008... Demountable Concepts is offering its stone carriers to a wider client base, due to increased production capacity acquired after moving into a new larger facility and purchasing new state-of-the-art production equipment. [ILLUSTRATION...

Edge polisher LCT 521.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2008... In addition to squared or inclined flat edges, the new Marmo Meccanica edge polisher LCT 521 can polish torodial edges on slabs of marble or granite, avoiding the use of shaped diamond wheels. A single cup-shaped diamond wheel copying the...

LT-55 XL Precision Laser Templator.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2008... Laser Products has recently released the LT-55 XL Precision Laser Templator--a full working tablet PC running Windows XP that includes built in digital cameras, Bluetooth support, an Ethernet port, SD card memory slot, wireless Internet...

Sink Hole Saver[TM] Angle Bracket.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2008... The Sink Hole Saver[TM] Angle Bracket by Omni Cubed, Inc. allows protection of "L," "bat wing" or any other angled countertops during transport. The accessory bracket connects two Sink Hole Saver rails of any length (4-foot, 6-foot or 8-foot...

Proliner 6.1.(NEW EQUIPMENT)
July 1, 2008... The Proliner 6.1 from Blick Industries allows users to create digital templates of countertops, floors, doors, walks, stairs, sinks and full-height backsplashes all in a portable, rugged package. The Proliner's ability to digitize a job on site...

Full-color booklet.(NEW LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... Marmi Bruno Zanet has released a full-color booklet in celebration of its 50 years in business. Substance includes materials the company keeps in stock, exclusive and/or Zanet owned material and its super exotic stone, as well as the company's...

2008 catalog.(NEW LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... Regent Stone Products is offering a 2008 catalog on details of the company's product and equipment lines. The book is broken down into sections such as hand tools, router bits, specialty cutting, core drilling, diamond cup wheels, diamond...

Full-color catalog.(NEW LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Marcolini Marmis is offering a full-color catalog profiling the company, featuring high-quality images of its line of marble, granite, limestone, slate, travertine and onyx. Included are full-page photos of a various...

Catalog for 2008.(NEW LITERATURE)
July 1, 2008... Diamond Productions Canada has released a stone catalog for 2008. Contents include the company's line of polishing tools, grinding tools, profiling tools, coring tools and electroplated blades, among other products. Each section highlights the...

Machine of the month.(Diamantfil Jolly)(Brief article)
July 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Diamantfil Jolly is a single-wire diamond wire saw from Pellegrini Meccanica, and it is capable of...

Emerald quartz.(Stone on the month)
July 1, 2008... Country of origin Brazil Specific gravity 2,654 kg/cu.m Water absorption 0.08% Apparent porosity 0.21% This Stone of the Month supplied by Granasa, Cariacica, Espirito Santo, Brazil....