FAQ & RESOURCE HUB

The whole process is designed for quality and speed. First, the client picks a stone, we then give the client an estimate based on their specific project. After that, an order can be placed with us for a template. From the time the template is made our clients can expect a turnaround time of 7-10 business days.

No appointment is necessary; Crystal Fabrication and Contracting is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Crystal Fabrication and Contracting accept Visa or certified checks only. If payment is done by personal check we will not start the fabrication process until the check is cleared. Once the order is placed the grand total is divided into two payments, one during the template, and the other due at the time of the installation.

No. We will determine how much material is needed for your countertops.

Excellent choice! The cost of granite counters is comparable to Corian, even less sometimes, while offering more benefits.

The main difference between granite and marble is that granite is a highly dense material composed deep inside the earth’s core while marble is formed from sediments under the seabed.

Both solidify into stone after millions of years but the mineral composition of the two stones makes marble and granite react differently to various chemicals.

Great Question!

LIMESTONE: Mainly consists of calcite. It does not show much graining or crystalline structure. It has a smooth granular surface. Varies in hardness. Some dense limestones can be polished. Common colours are black, grey, white, yellow or brown. It is more likely to stain than marble. Limestone is known to contain lime from seawater.

SANDSTONE: This is a very durable formation of quartz grains (sand). Usually formed in light brown or red colours. Categorized by the most popular sandstone bonding agents such as silica, calcium, clay, and iron oxide.

SOAPSTONE: A very soft stone made of a variety of talc. It is a dense mineral that wears well and is often resistant to stains.

FOSSILSTONE: Considered a limestone that contains natural fossils
such as seashells and plants.

TRAVERTINE: Usually a cream or reddish colour. It is formed through the accumulation of calcite from hot springs. It contains lots of holes that were formed from water flowing through the stone. These holes are often filled with synthetic resins or cement. This Stone will require more maintenance if the holes are not filled. It is known as limestone and marble.

MARBLE: A recrystallized limestone formed when the limestone softened from heat and pressure and recrystallized into marble where mineral changes occurred. The main consistency is calcium and dolomite. Ranges in many colours and is usually heavily veined and show lots of grains. Hardness rates from 2.5 to 5 on the MOH Scale. Marble is classified into three categories: (Stone World)

1. Dolomite: If it has more than 40% magnesium carbonate.
2. Magnesian: If it has between 5% and 40% magnesium carbonate.
3. Calcite: If it has less than 5% magnesium carbonate.

SLATE: A fine-grained metamorphic stone that formed from clay, sedimentary rock shale, and sometimes quartz. The nature of this stone is can be very thin and therefore can break/flake more easily than other stones. Slate is usually black, grey, or green can be found with reflective colours of silver and can also be found in copper and red tones.

SERPENTINE: Identified by its marks, which look like the skin of a serpent. The most popular colours are green and brown. Hardness rates from 2.5 to 4 on the MOH Scale. Contains serpentine minerals has lots of magnesium and has an igneous origin. Does not always react well to recrystallization or diamond polishing.

IGNEOUS: stones are mainly formed through volcanic material such as magma. Underneath the Earth’s surface, liquid magma cooled and solidified. Mineral gases and liquids penetrated into the stone and created new crystalline formations with various colours.

GRANITE: Primarily made of Quartz (35%), Feldspar (45%) and Potassium. Most Granites usually have darker colours, contain very little calcite, if any and provide a heavy crystalline and granular appearance with mineral grains. It is a very hard material and easier to maintain than marble. Yet, it is still porous and is susceptible to staining. There are different types of granite depending on the percentage mix of quartz, mica and feldspar. Black granite is known as an Anorthosite. It contains very little quartz and feldspar and has a different composition than true granite.

MAN-MADE: Stones are derived from unnatural mixtures such as resin or cement with the additive of stone chips.

TERRAZZO: Marble and granite chips embedded in a cement composition.

AGGLOMERATE or CONGLOMERATE: Marble chips embedded in a coloured resin composition.

CULTURED or FAUX MARBLE: A mix of resins that are painted or mixed with a paint to look like marble.