Challenging the most perceptive eye and the most skeptical mind. It is hard to tell whether the colors, knots and vein patterns are the work of Mother Nature or technology: a state-of-the-art technology, with the capacity for endless renewal, constantly perfecting its ability to reproduce the inspiration material.

By focusing on “sustainability”and “design”, Stone+tec 2020 will create new momentum for European stone workers, from stonemasons to industrial operations. The International Trade Fair for Natural Stone and Stone Technology will be held in Nuremberg from 17 to 20 June 2020. New and expanded specialshows on local natural stone and design, and an extensive range of materials, machines and tools, gravestones and accessories will feature at this top-qualitysector gathering. The “Stone for Future”design competition, being held for the first time, willrecognize designs for functional natural stone products, and the winning entries will be made specially for Stone+tec

Produced in large-format slabs (3365 mm in length), Lapitec is the first material with an identical surface, edges and internal composition to come on the market. The full body sintered stone, composed of a mix of 100% natural minerals and developed by the Italian company of the same name, is distributed in the Midwest by the American Granite Company.  

The Natural Stone Institute has provided natural stone and fabrication services for two homes with the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment). The R.I.S.E. program builds specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and first responders. To date, Natural Stone Institute members have been involved in twenty-six completed homes.

Florim USA, Inc., a leader in United States porcelain tile manufacturing, recently announced that Jana Manzella has been appointed Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Vitoria Stone Fair's second day is in the books. Above are some scenes from the stone fair.

Caesarstone, one of the world’s foremost manufacturer of quartz surfaces is proud to lead the safety standard for the industry with the launch of MASTERS OF STONE. The extensive program was created for fabricators and their employees and it focuses on issues of health and safety in the workplace with a special emphasis on creating a space free of the dangers of potentially hazardous Respirable Crystalline Silica dust, the root cause of Silicosis.

The winners of the 2019 Pinnacle Awards were announced during the Natural Stone Institute Awards Ceremony at TISE in Las Vegas, NV. Twenty-two projects were honored with Awards of Excellence. The 2019 Grande Pinnacle Award was presented to Pei Cobb Freed & Partners (New York, NY) for their work on 7 Bryant Park.

Cambria, the industry leader of American-made natural quartz surfaces is delighted to announce the launch of one of the most significant design introductions in company history. The 20/20/20/20 launch, featuring 20 groundbreaking new designs, coincides with Cambria’s 20th anniversary and 20th design launch at the beginning of 2020.

Inspiration, ideation and creation are all surfacing at Wilsonart, a world-class innovator of next-generation engineered surfaces. With surfaces for everything from fine hotels to modern offices to visionary homes, Wilsonart is always finding new ways—rethinking possibilities— to bring designers and clients trend-setting beauty as well as groundbreaking functionality and value.