Stone selections

Serving clients in Chicago, North Shore, North, Northwest, West, South & Southwest suburbs

We work and create beauty with natural and man-made materials quarried and developed from around the world.



Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, France, Israel, Africa, India, Brazil, China, and USA.


Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of carbonate minerals, commonly calcite or dolomite that have recrystallized over millions of years under the influence of pressure and heat. It is crystalline and typically not layered. Due to its hardness and strength and wear resistance it will not deform due to temperature. Marble’s characteristic swirls, veins, and striations, of colored marble varieties, are due to various mineral impurities such as clay, sand, iron, oxides, and silt which have recrystallized by intense pressure and heat. Marble is found in many different patterns and colors, available in slab and tile formats. It is available in polished, honed and leathered finishes. It can easily scratch, stain, etch, chip and crack if not supported properly. However, it is one of the most common used natural stones in the construction and building industry around the whole world. The most desired natural stone by many for its amazing colors and natural patterns. The cost of marble varies considerably, white colors being the most expensive. It is found and quarried in Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey, India, China, and Brazil. Natural stone sealant required as well as normal maintenance with a balanced PH natural stone soap.



Application: Interior and exterior (in warm climates) applications, low traffic countertops such as bathroom countertops, residential and commercial flooring, wall cladding, fireplace surrounds, tables, commercial and residential wet areas, fountains, and lobby desks. In cases it is used for kitchen countertops, but not recommended since it etches, scratches, chips, and stains.


Granite

Granite is a coarse-grained, intrusive igneous natural stone that is naturally occurring, hard and durable formed by the cooling of molten materials under the Earth’s surface and primarily composed of quartz and feldspar. As a result, its impressive strength makes it durable to use in various construction applications. It can withstand harsh volatile weather conditions and is one of the most non-absorbent, stain-resistant, and scratch-resistant natural stones. Granite’s physical appearance is commonly seen with tightly speckled or swirly patterns and available in a wide range of colors and price points. It is found and quarried in countries all over the world. Natural stone sealant required as well as normal maintenance with a balanced PH natural stone soap.


Application: Interior and exterior applications, kitchen and bath countertops, bar and high traffic transaction countertops, residential and commercial flooring, wall cladding, fireplace surrounds, tables, commercial and residential wet area applications, fountains, and lobby desks.


Quartzite

Quartzite is a hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock primarily composed of quartz. It is formed from quartz-rich sedimentary rock, such as sandstone under high pressure and high temperature conditions causing quartz grains to fuse together. 


Quartzites unique natural physical and aesthetic characteristics, natural marblelike veining, make it a desirable and popular choice for homeowners, architects, and interior designers. It can be found in shades of white and grey, beige, tan, but also in deep pigmented and black colors and takes a polished, honed, and leathered finish. It withstands cold and hot temperatures, is scratch resistance, has a low absorption rate, and generally the most expensive of all natural stones used in the construction and decorative industries. Be aware that quartzite has inherited natural fissures, due to its process of natural formation, that not necessarily constitute or are considered cracks.   Mainly found and quarried in Brazil and generally more expensive than marble, granite, porcelain, and quartz. Natural stone sealant required as well as normal maintenance with a balanced PH natural stone soap.


Application: Interior and exterior applications, kitchen and bath countertops, bar and high traffic transaction countertops, residential and commercial flooring, wall cladding, fireplace surrounds, tables, commercial and residential wet areas, fountains, and lobby desks.


Techno Quartz

Techno Quartz is an innovative premium large format solid surface which captures the look and feel of natural stone. Its beauty, design flexibility, and ease of maintenance makes it versatile and user-friendly. Natural quartz is the main component of Techno Quartz. Crystalline silicon dioxide, which is usually white and transparent but may assume various colors depending on the natural mix. Its available in 2cm and 3cm thicknesses and in numerous colors and patterns, Techno Quartz is a very hard and non-porous surface material. Acid, high abrasion, scratch, and most stain resistant. It is an excellent choice for people who love the luxurious look of marble but do not want to contend with the maintenance required for a marble kitchen countertop or work surface. Generally, costs about the same as granite and a average mid- priced marble. No sealant required.


Application: Interior residential floors, kitchen and bath countertops, bar and high traffic transaction counters, wall cladding, commercial and residential lobbies, lobby reception desks, fireplace surrounds, wet area applications.


Limestone & Travertine

Limestone is a hard sedimentary rock composed of dolomite and calcium carbonate. Limestone forms when these minerals precipitate out of water containing dissolved calcium. Limestone often contains fossils of accumulated marine skeletons and shells on the ocean floors over millions of years, and found in common rock in canyons and cliffs where large bodies of water have receded. Its recognizable by its fossils and natural colors, ranging from crème, gray and black. Although generally durable, limestone is soft and can chip, scratch, absorb, and stain easily. Generally, one of the least expensive natural stones. Natural stone sealant required as well as normal maintenance with a balanced PH natural stone soap. 

Application: Interior residential and commercial floors, wall cladding, fireplace surrounds, bathroom counters, floors and walls. Not recommended for kitchen or bar counters.


Travertine is a form of limestone deposited around mineral springs, especially hot springs. Has a fibrous porous appearance which usually is factory filled and exists in white, cream, tan, and rusty colors. Has striations of similar color tones within its body of mass which show up in cross cut or vein cut tile or slab formats. Its typically available in polished or honed finishes. As Limestone, travertine is soft, can chip, scratch, absorb and stain easily, so it must be sealed and maintained properly. Mainly found in and used in Italy as a building material. Generally, one of the least expensive natural stones. Natural stone sealant required as well as normal maintenance with a balanced PH natural stone soap.


Application: Interior residential and commercial floors, wall cladding for residences, hotels, commercial and residential lobbies, fireplace surrounds, bathroom counters, floors and walls. In warm moderate climate conditions, it is used outdoors for pavers, walkways, and wall cladding. Not recommended for kitchen or bar counters.


Onyx

Onyx is a semi-precious natural stone consisting of high levels of calcite, similar too other natural stones, and characterized by its banded layered look. Mainly found and quarried in Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan and Mexico. Since it is calcareous material, consisting of quartz and silica, it is softer than other natural stones, (granite, marble, quartzite) yet still hard enough to be used for all sorts of surfaces and applications. It is translucent and considered a luxury stone available in many colors and variations. Due to its natural characteristic, onyx can scratch, etch, stain, and chip easily. Generally, costs more than granite and falls at a mid to high ranged marble. Natural stone sealant required as well as normal maintenance with a balanced PH natural stone soap.



Application: Interior residential floors, wall cladding and backlit for residential and commercial application, commercial and residential lobbies, lobby reception desks, fireplace surrounds, bathroom counters, floors and walls. Not recommended for kitchen or high traffic transaction counters.


Geoluxe

Geoluxe is a breakthrough Pyrolithic stone surface material which combines the noble beauty of natural marble with superior technical performance. A complex mixture of 100% minerals is transformed through Geoluxe’s patented Geomimicry forming technology and reveal realistic marble-like veins throughout the slabs. This innovative premium solid surface captures the look and feel of natural stone with aesthetically natural design patterns. It overcomes the imperfections of natural marble and other manufactured surfaces, offering the ultimate combination of elegance and performance. 

Available in 2cm slab format, this product is the one and only man-made material that achieves vein-through-body effect by its patented Geomimcry technology, making your piece unique and one-of-a-kind. No other home will have the exact same veining and characteristics that you have in yours. Geomimcry creates a stone with the marble look and the vein-through effect, while offering superior properties. Cost is comparable to quartz and Geoluxe offers a 15-year warranty on all residential purchases. No sealant required.



Application: Suited for interior kitchen, bar, vanity countertops, tabletops, floors, wall cladding, wet area floor and wall applications.


Laminam

Breaking the traditional concept of surfaces, Laminam is a, 100% Italian, revolutionary full body porcelain slab material, exclusively large, 64”x127” with minimum thicknesses of 6mm, 12mm. and 20mm. It is remarkably strong and has very high resistance to scratching and abrasion. Laminam is produced using advanced technologies, suitable for many indoor and outdoor application., It is easy to clean, resistant to frost, fire, mold and mildew, and UV rays. A practical furnishing solution that also offers excellent technical properties and an attractive style. It is manufactured in a variety of colors and patterns offering beautiful and realistic marble colors achieved by ink-jet imprints of real marble slabs photos over the surface of the porcelain slab. The colors and patterns on porcelain countertops are achieved by adding pigments (known as “glaze”) to the surface and offers high gloss and matte finishes. These pigments can make the surface resemble marble, wood and even steel. The material is extremely durable, heat, freeze, thaw, scratch, acid etching, stain and crack resistant and freeze resistant. You may cut directly on your porcelain slab, but a cutting board is recommended. Price falls towards the higher end of quartz cost. No sealant required.


Application: Suited for hot and cold climates, interior and exterior applications. Residential and commercial floor, pavers, countertops, backsplashes, work and prep surfaces, desks, tabletops, wall cladding, wet area floor and wall applications.


At Exotic Marble and Tile Inc., we don’t just install – we create. From custom countertops to stunning floors and luxury bathrooms, our craftsmanship transforms spaces with precision and artistry. Serving clients across Chicago and the North Shore, as well as the North, Northwest, West, South, and Southwest suburbs. Ready to elevate your project? Contact us today.

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