Granite is an igneous rock, formed by the crystallization of molten lava. Minerals within granite typically appear as small flecks throughout the stone, creating a "salt and pepper" look. Other types have veining similar to marble. Granite is a dense-grained, hard stone. It can be highly polished or finished in a variety of other ways. A broad spectrum of color is available.

Marble has both scientific and commercial definitions. Scientific marble was once limestone that achieved metamorphosis from intense pressures and high temperatures within the earth. This trauma altered its crystalline structure, introducing other minerals that produced the valuable colors and veining seen in the stone. Commercially, any stone capable of taking a polish (with the exception of granite) is known as marble. This includes travertine, onyx, serpentine, and limestone.

Limestone is widely used as a building stone since it is readily available and easy to work with. It is a sedimentary stone, layered and formed from the skeletons and shells of sea creatures that lived in vast, warm seas millions of years ago. Much domestic limestone is gray to buff in color, while some pastel shades of yellow to pink are available. Imported limestones are available in colors ranging from light beige to dark brown, red and black. When the mineral dolomite is present, it makes the limestone harder and capable of being polished in the same manner as metamorphic marble.

Travertine marble is a variety of limestone formed in pools by the slow precipitation of hot, mineral-rich spring water. The "holes" characteristic of travertine were created when carbon dioxide bubbles were trapped as the stone was being formed. Although the classic travertines are recognizable by their homogenous ecru to dark colors, dark reds are available to dark brown veining.

Slate is a fine-grained, metamorphic stone derived from sedimentary rock shale. It is uniform in color, available in shades from dark to light green, mottled purple, black, gray, and dark red. Veined patterns from overseas have also recently been introduced. Unless its surface has been honed smooth, slate can be recognized by its distinct cleft pattern.