It is the landscaper?EUR??,,????'???s predilection to create a ?EUR??,,????'??natural surrounding?EUR??,,????'?? in a man-made environment. There are infinite choices in nature?EUR??,,????'???s arsenal. Selecting natural stone is usually a good choice, as it provides a feeling of permanence and displays nature?EUR??,,????'???s variety of hardscape creations. Rock, if you recall from school days, is categorized by how it was formed: Igneous rock is produced by the cooling of magma within the earth (plutonic rock) or on the surface (volcanic rock). Granite is plutonic rock, while obsidion, nature?EUR??,,????'???s black, shiny, glass-like rock, is a prime example of volcanic rock cooled on the surface, as are scoria and pumice. Metamorphic rock forms from other rocks (protolith) by changes in mineralogy and/or texture, a result of change in the chemical and/or physical environment. Examples include marble, quartzite, schist, slate, hornfels, and phyllite. Sedimentary rock forms at or near the earth?EUR??,,????'???s surface at relatively low temperatures and pressures from igneous or metamorphic precursors and organic materials. They are classified as carbonates (e.g., limestone, dolostones, cherts) and silicates (e.g., sandstone, mudrock). Natural stone provides the landscape artist with a large palate of hues, patterns and textures. Striations, crystals, cleavages and compositions vary from rock to rock. Stone manufacturers can enhance these characteristics with several types of finishes. Polished: smooth, glossy and reflective; brings out character of the natural stone. Thermal (flamed): stone is exposed to hot flame, creating a rough texture and enhancing color. Sandblasted: pressurized flow of sand is applied to the stone?EUR??,,????'???s surface to produce a matte finish. Sawed: saw marks exposed on surface of stone. Bush-hammered: tool used to put divots in surface of stone. Honed: low-sheen gloss. From rich elegance to bucolic permanence, natural stone can enhance gardens, patios, walls, and waterscapes. The surprising flexibility of natural stone ranges from half-inch-thick flagstones for patio flooring to large, stackable stones for walls and benches. Other uses for natural stone include steps, walkways, pool copings, accent boulders, veneers, posts, waterfalls, driveways, and terraces. Where It All Comes Together?EUR??,,????'??+Aggregate Rock ?EUR??,,????'???? Aggregate rock is crushed rock of all kinds. Rocks in a quarry are blown up using a small series of tightly controlled mini blasts, which create less noise than a highway. ?EUR??,,????'???? There are 10,000 aggregate operations in the U.S. Aggregate rock is perfect for walkways, gardens and pondscapes. Aggregate rock manages to help prevent erosion and give a unique look to any landscape. ?EUR??,,????'???? About three billion tons of aggregate rock is used in the U.S. each year, or nearly half of the earth materials mined in the U.S. The average U.S. home is constructed with about 400 tons of aggregate (including sand and gravel). ?EUR??,,????'???? One mile of a one lane highway uses 38,000 tons of aggregate rock. (Source: The Smithsonian Museum at www. mnh.si.edu.) Stone Fact The world's largest block of stone quarried comes from Hassan, Karnataka, India. The monster weighs 340 metric tons, and took 14 weeks to transport it 600 kilometers. Over the next two years, the stone will be carved into a statue of the Hindu god,Hanumanji. Sources: members@aol.com; marioandson.coom; alldiscounttile.com; geocites.com montgranite.com; findstone.com; luckstone.com; stonecaretechniques.com; Terrazzo & Marble Supply Companies.