Travertine Stone Information
What is Travertine?
Porous or crystalline mineral form of calcium carbonate, deposited in layered formations
by hot and cold spring waters.
Travertine is a kind of sedimentary stone. Like marble, travertine is a form of limestone.
When limestone is put under a lot of pressure for a long time (thousands of years), it can
turn into travertine, the way peat turns into coal. If the travertine is left under pressure
for thousands more years, it can turn into marble, the way coal can turn into diamonds. So
travertine is a kind of stone that is about halfway in between limestone and marble. It’s
finer than limestone, but not as fine as marble.
Travertine's range in hardness from 4-5 on the ten-point MOHS scale (diamonds are 10; granites are ±7),
making it perfect for most areas of the home. Care does need to be taken, however when choosing
material for a high-traffic area or kitchen countertops which might be subject to etching substances.
Like any stone, travertine should be sealed with a penetrating sealer to prevent stains from penetrating
into the stone.
Travertine is a sedimentary rock that begins as limestone. Over time, geological shifting forces the
limestone deep within the earth. The porous nature of limestone makes it a great liquid reservoir.
Limestone absorbs water from aquifers, which are enormous underground pools formed by ice age melting.
Heated by the earth’s inner core, the water rises as steam, forming hot springs and geysers. This hot
water dissolves the limestone and brings it to the surface along with other granules from below. If
enough time transpires, mud beds consisting of limestone and other minerals cool and crystallize into
solid travertine. The cooling process results in the extraordinary small holes or cavities while
minerals in the stone create unique variations in color and veining.
Our Silver Travertine is quarried in Turkey.
