The ancient and the high-tech met last October at Marmomacc, the 42nd International Exhibition of Stone Design and Technology in Verona, Italy, featuring innovative material applications alongside classic stones, some quarried since antiquity. - Sarah Amelar
 

Glints of crystal
The Antolini Luigi Diamond Collection (below left) combines Swarovski crystal with such exotic stones as Cloud Onyx, Blue-green Labradorite, and Emerald Quartzite. Antolini Shellstone is a line of iridescent mother-of-pearl mosaics that come in various sizes and rectilinear shapes, and 12 shimmering shades. Antolini Luigi, Verona, Italy. www.antolini.it

[Reader Service: May 2008 #200]

 

Making a splash
Evoking the flow of water, Testi’s Hyperwave offers natural stone carved with undulant patterns. Fabricated via CAD/CAM technologies, the customizable panels are suitable for a broad range of interior and exterior applications. There is even a Hyperwave Shower Collection. Testi Fratelli, Verona, Italy. www.testigroup.com

[Reader Service: May 2008 #201]
 

White on white
CaesarStone has developed a sandblasting method for applying detailed stenciling to its quartz-engineered stone. The technique creates an extremely low-relief, tactile motif, playing polished against matte surfaces. CaesarStone Quartz Surfaces, Van Nuys, Calif. www.caesarstone.com

[Reader Service: May 2008 #202]

     

A touch of lace
Using a digital heat process and laser-waterjet cutting method, Santa Margherita is able to print and/or cut remarkably intricate patterns on slabs of quartz or quartz-resin composite—achieving a positive/negative effect. Santa Margherita S.p.A., Verona, Italy. www.santamargherita.net

[Reader Service: May 2008 #203]

Hard rock foil
A mere 0.3-millimeters thick, Grein’s natural-granite veneer can cover complex 3D surfaces. Granite Glass is a laminate of glass with stone so thin the material is luminously translucent. Grein Itallia, Verona, Italy. www.grein.com

[Reader Service: May 2008 #204]