Natural stones were formed right at the time when the Earth cooled of from its fuming state and the surface shrunk to create the solid stones. The composition of these stones features a wide variation. There are granites, lime stones, sand stones and many more. Few of the stones have a large amount of minerals which make them easily breakable. But most of the natural stones are extremely durable. They are easy to carve but enduring enough to retain the designs and patterns on it. In fact the geologists agree to the fact that natural stones are almost as old as the universe and the formation is dated back up to 4 billions of years.
Any stone, created with artificial methods are called synthetic stones. Now this is a proven fact that nature is more powerful than human beings and this is reason enough that the synthetic stones are less durable or effective in all senses compared to the natural ones. Both gemstones and commercially used cheap stones are manufactured artificially. The chemicals like silica and others are used to make them. Sometimes cement is also used to manufacture the synthetic stones and they are comparatively durable than the regular ones. But if the hardness of granite is compared to that of the synthetic stone, it shows the remarkable difference.
According to some people the synthetic stones should be used more frequently as this will retain the balance of the planet. Now this is true to some extent. The natural rock is a part of the hills, mountains and plateaus. Hence if more and more stones are broken from the hills, gradually the balance of the environment will be endangered and this will lead to destruction of natural resources. This is why the alternatives to natural stones should be more preferable options. But there is another opinion about it. People, who are more concerned about the pollution of environment, feel that the manufacturing of synthetic stones involve a complicated process which gives rise to pollution and toxic wastes. These unwanted products hamper the purity of environment unnecessarily.
When it comes to determining the aesthetic appeal of the stones, natural stones will always win over the synthetic ones. Be it a naturally white shining marble or classic black granite, there is no substitute for it. Those who believe in astrology always prefer the natural gem stones rather than the artificial ones. In fact according to them the natural stones can enhance the lifestyle and luck of a human being with its color effects and quite obviously the natural stones give out better coloration and effects than the artificial ones. The price of natural gemstones is much higher than the artificial replica. The other important fact to be considered is that the radioactive elements of the natural stones can be harmful which not a problem with the synthetic ones is. There are many differences in opinion about the natural and artificial stones but overall natural stones are preferred by most of the users.
Check and select some of the best marble and granite natural stones for kitchen, bathroom, fireplaces, outside BBQ and other such applications.