As I sit down to write this Stone Column, I feel like I can finally take a breath. It’s been a busy first half of the year for myself and the Stone World staff- filled with a great deal of traveling, both domestically and abroad, to trade shows, workshops and other stone industry events.

A delegation of 41 members of MIA+BSI: The Natural Stone Institute attended the Xiamen Stone Fair, which was held from March 6 to 9, 2017 in Xiamen, China. This was the second year MIA+BSI participated at the exhibition, and participants were eager to experience the trade show, and Chinese culture.

Natural stone quarrying in southern Found du Lac County, WI, has an extensive history that dates back to the early 1800s. Hamilton Lime & Stone, which was originally incorporated on October 30, 1935, was first owned by a local stone craftsman by the name of Torson Johnson.

Located in the heart of the city of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim, Brazil — a region rich in the production of ornamental stone — Maq Stone has been among the leading producers of marble, soapstone, granite and quartzite for 16 years.

CFRP Natural Stones is a company that specializes in the extraction and commercialization of granite blocks. Founded by brothers Carlos Fernando and Lino Marcos da Paz in 1989, in Caldas, Minas Gerais (MG), Brazil, the company is now the largest exporter of Imperial Coffee granite.

Zucchi Stones, a leading exporter of luxury stone in Brazil, recently opened a marble processing plant. The new division, located in Serra, a city in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil, will guarantee the production of more noble marbles, with quality processing.

At Ryan Hughes Design/Build in Tampa, FL, they believe “the largest room in every home is not defined by the interior elements,” but rather the land it encompasses.

An extensive group of engineers, consultants and other specialists were assembled to address the complex renovation/restoration needs of the historic Utah State Capitol. The project included very specific base isolation and seismic upgrade to the overall building, including the dome and rotunda.

The program comprised two students from the school visiting three various SFA host companies — each visit lasting a full week, consisting of various time spent in and around the fabrication shop and city.