Pietra Serena, the grey-blue sandstone that built Florence, explained by a sourcing studio: geology, real properties, the porosity caveat, finishes, and where it works.

Lithos·5 min read

Material Index·Jul 30, 2026

Carrara White Marble: How to Specify It Properly

Carrara White, the world's reference marble, specified honestly. A sourcing studio on grades, honed vs polished, where it works, and how to avoid the common mistakes.

Lithos·4 min read

Material Index·Jul 30, 2026

Grigio Carnico: The Deep Grey-Black Italian Marble, Specified

Grigio Carnico, the dramatic grey-black Italian marble with fine white veining. A sourcing studio on its character, properties, finishes, and where dark marble belongs.

Lithos·4 min read

Material Index·Jul 30, 2026

Grolla Limestone: Beige, Rosato, and Terrazzo Explained

Grolla, the Italian limestone that comes in three faces: Beige, Rosato, and a natural Terrazzo. A sourcing studio on the differences, properties, and where each belongs.

Lithos·4 min read

Material Index·Jul 30, 2026

Atlantic Limestone: Beige, Grey, White, and Mix Explained

The Atlantic limestone family from Portugal: Beige, Grey, White, and Mix. A sourcing studio on the tonal range, shared properties, finishes, and how to compose with them.

Lithos·4 min read

Material Index·Jul 30, 2026

Ataija Azul: The Blue-Grey Portuguese Limestone, Specified

Ataija Azul, Portugal's characterful blue-grey limestone with fossil detail. A sourcing studio on its geology, properties, finishes, and where it belongs indoors and out.

Lithos·4 min read

Material Index·Jul 30, 2026

Crema Fiorito: Oro vs Silver, and How to Choose

Crema Fiorito, the veined Italian limestone in two tones: warm Oro and cool Silver. A sourcing studio on the difference, properties, finishes, and where each belongs.

Lithos·4 min read

Material Index·Jul 30, 2026

Moca Creme: Classic vs Sintra, and How to Specify Each

Moca Creme, Portugal's most-specified limestone, has two faces: Classic and Sintra. A sourcing studio explains the difference, the properties, and where each belongs.

Lithos·5 min read

Material Index·Jul 30, 2026

Bardiglio Imperiale vs Carrara White: Grey and White Italian Marble

Bardiglio Imperiale or Carrara White? A sourcing studio on the grey and white Italian marbles, how they differ, how they pair, and where each belongs.

Lithos·5 min read

Material Index·Jul 30, 2026

Mars Grey Sandstone: A Specifier's Guide to the Italian Grey

Mars Grey is an Italian grey sandstone with a real advantage most greys lack: it does not etch. A sourcing studio on its properties, finishes, and where it belongs.

Lithos·6 min read

Material Index·Jul 30, 2026

Pietra Forte Fiorentina: Florence's Structural Stone, Specified

Pietra Forte Fiorentina, the strong sandstone behind Florence's palazzi. A sourcing studio on its geology, real strength, finishes, and where it beats Pietra Serena.

Lithos·4 min read

Material Index·Jul 30, 2026

Ceppo di Gré: Milan's Conglomerate Stone, and How to Specify It

Ceppo di Gré, the pebbled conglomerate stone of Milan, explained by a sourcing studio. What it is, why the porcelain copies exist, finishes, and where the real stone belongs.

Lithos·4 min read

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