We have over a hundred samples for you to view in our showrooms in Dayton and Cincinnati.  For more information on the uses of Granite, Marble and Limestone...see below.  To see pictures of Granite Samples, click here

Consumer Reports rated Countertops in it's August 06 edition

(see www.ConsumerReports.org) .  Here is what they had to say:

GRANITE:  Rated Excellent in Heat resistance, Excellent in Cutting resistance, Excellent in resistance to Abrasion, Excellent in Impact resistance and Good in Stain resistance (Dark Star can tell you how to minimize the chance for stains)

QUARTZ (engineered stone):  Rated Excellent in Heat resistance, Very Good in Cutting resistance, Excellent in resistance to Abrasion, Good in Impact resistance, Excellent in Stain resistance

SOLID SURFACE (Corian): Rated Very Good in Heat resistance, Fair in Cutting resistance, Fair in resistance to Abrasion, Very Good in Impact resistance, Good in Stain resistance

See below for more information on Natural Stone:

Dark Star Marble & Granite Brokers of the Earth's Finest Art

Granite is a igneous rock consisting of quartz, feldspar, and mica.  At one time during it's development, it was melted like volcanic lava.  This melted rock never reached the surface.  It remained trapped inside the Earth, where it cooled and crystallized resulting in color from black and gray tones to pinks, purples, reds, browns, greens, and whites.  Granite is an extremely durable product and can be used in virtually any application.

Key Benefits

Marble is a metamorphic rock.  It was once limestone, but over time, the combination of intense heat and pressure caused the limestone to re-crystallize.  Foreign substance entered the stone during this process, creating a variety of colors, textures, and veining.  Though marble has timeless beauty and is an elegant product, it does have some usage limitations.  Marble is a softer stone, which is also sensitive to acids.  Due to this trate, Dark Star Marble and Granite will not advise the use of this stone in kitchen or other high traffic applications.  Acids and acid by-products can etch marble surfaces and they are more easily scratched.

Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed of calcium carbonate.  Limestone is available in a vast number of warm and welcoming colors, as well as shades of gray.  Limestone is a classic look, but due to it mineral makeup it is the softest of the stones we offer.  Limestone in not suitable for use as kitchen countertops or bar tops.  Though it is beautiful it is not suited for these applications.

Pricing

Our estimates are free and unlike most of our competitors Dark Star Marble and Granite will not price a project by the square foot.  Our studies have shown that pricing by the square foot is not an accurate way to maximize the value to our clients.  There are many factors in pricing out a job accurately, all of these factors are of great importance to Dark Star and our customers.

Many clients initially do not have a particular species of stone selected.  Dark Star typically will price a project out of our price categories ranging from A to F to get the initial estimate presented in a timely manner.  The determination of a stones cost is usually based on country of origin, availability/scarcity, and accessibility of the quarry.  Freight, fuel costs, and political climate can also be a factor in stone costs.

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Last modified: 12/10/07