Michael Homchick Stoneworks

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

New Solid Marble stone sinks in stock!

“DUBAI” STATUARIO EXTRA MARBLE

$1,349 US

“DUBLIN” CALACATTA MARBLE

$2,299 US

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Suitability of Stone Countertops in the Kitchen

Today’s trend of using a softer looking honed finish has opened up the use of many previously unacceptable stone surfaces with their diverse colors and veining patterns.

With these new possibilities, there comes new maintenance requirements.

Granite and its cousin Quartzite are still worry free, requiring only an initial sealing with an impregnating sealer to prevent absorption stains. They can then be maintained with soap & water. Extreme cleaning can be done with scrub pads, fine steel wool or even a razor blade without harming the stone.

Marble with its calcitic cousins Travertine, Onyx and Limestone, should only be used in a kitchen with a “Honed” finish. Sealing will prevent most absorption stains but does not protect the surface. Acids in food and drink, if not removed promptly, can chemically etch the calcite and leave marks in the surface. With the honed finish, minor etches can be rubbed out with an abrasive cleaner such as COMET. Deeper scratches may first need some light sanding. Periodic re-sealing is recommended. This simply is a wipe on wipe off procedure.

Marble is simply limestone that has undergone pressure in the earth and crystallized to a harder state. Un-crystallized limestone will be easier to scratch and should not be used in an area that a pristine appearance is desired.

Serpentine “Marbles”, Sandstones, Slates and Soapstone do not contain calcium and are not subject to the same etching problems. The serpentine and sandstone should be sealed. Slate and Soapstone can be sealed or oiled with Mineral Oil.

Marble counter tops have been used extensively in banks, hotels and in European homes for centuries and have developed a fine “Patina” finish without the need of modern cleaners and sealers. Care should be taken when selecting your stone as to what amount of care or wear that you will be comfortable with.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Calacatta Crestola Marble

Calacatta Crestola Oro Marble

The Calacatta Crestola marbles are the most beloved & sought after Calacattas EVER! Why?! Well, the Crestola Quarry is the absolute King out of all of the Calacatta quarries. Surely an experience to behold when seen in person, this magnificent quarry is so massive & so entirely white you'll need shades & a great big heart, trust me! If you think the country of Italia has already won your love through her delicious anti-oxidant rich vino's, rolling verde Tuscan hills that beckon you to tumble down like a child... oh and yes, lets not forget the wood-fired baked pizza's! Well to even further your adoration for this admirable country I would suggest that the next time you ought to take a trip to the crown of the country high up in the Italian Alps, the actual provenance of this fine marble OR you may just simply come visit us here at Crocodile Rocks...where this exquisite stone currently resides shining brigher then ever!

The unsurpassed beauty & prominence of this material is within the stone, offering a sublime translucency akin to an Onyx. It has a tight grain calcite crystal structure probably due to the way it was cooled during the formation process. The overall color has a soft creamy-white with pale milky grays and sublte warm golds. This is quite the stone may I add...you shall see, once you have graced this stone yourself!!!

This stone has been used through out the centuries as Kitchen Countertops, Backsplash & Islands as well as bathroom vanities, shower surrounds, flooring etc..It is available in a Polished finish with a 2cm thickness as well as a 3cm, in addition we offer this material in a Honed finish in a 3cm thickness.

Find it at Crocodile Rocks Inc.

If Spiderman could have Granite Kitchen Countertop's

My eyes have graced the unique, beautiful & strong presence of our Polished, Iron Red Granite on several occassions and always in admiration. Yet today I had this realization, perhaps a bit silly yet really quite on key in my opinion. Spiderman came to mind...Yes, that whom most of us know as a treasured & classic Superhero. He who has the one & only transformational ability to morph into the red & blue Spidey, whom displays massive strength, versatility & total magnetism! Well my correlation between the two has led me to believe that this natural material exudes the same characteristics...well except for the super-power transformation that Spidey can perform...although we must give this natural stone some serious credit as it too has gone through some major geological transformations, adopting wallops of Hematite a mineral which is the main source of Iron. This stone displays rich vein's of a dark griotte red with silver blue lunar-like brecciated type features. Iron Red is an extremely hard material and yet would be most endearingly capable of supporting you and your many culinary adventures. Are you prepared to behold such a stone, Iron Red...an Amazing material born out of the courageous mountains of Brazil. A super-stone to say the least, come see for yourself & let your imagination run wild!

We have this natural stone available in a 2cm thick slab with a polished finish.

Find it at Crocodile Rocks Inc.

Calacatta Paonazzo

Paonazzo Marble

Paonazzo Marble is a rare Italian marble that is stone deep with unsurpassed beauty. Just a mere glance and you'll find yourself in a state of stone romance...trust me, there are stone's that I've just absolutely fallen in love with and this stone is definitely in that category. The overall white matrix is pure like a soft cotton with a luminescent transparency that captures these diamond- like crystals. The vein's are a delicate combination of creamy as well as an intermixing of a sage like denim color and graceful grey-blues.

In my personal opinion Paonazzo is one of natures most excellent stone creations, as I feel this stone reflects the power and gentleness of the Italian Alps!

Purely precious!

This Marble is commonly used as Shower surrounds, Tub decks, Vanities, Interior wall cladding as well as Kitchen Counter top's! This stone is available in a Polished & honed surface with a 2cm & a 3cm thickness availability.

Find it at Crocodile Rocks Inc.