| Travertine is one of the most beautiful, versatile, | | | | similarly shaded types of travertine are given |
| and historically important stones used today. It is | | | | common names. |
| a form of limestone that is heavily compacted. | | | | Travertine is often used to resurface structures, |
| Generally it is formed when minerals in streams or | | | | in counter tops, flooring, and in cobble stones. It is |
| hot spring water, become deposited on river beds | | | | also used in a number of unique stone home |
| and dry out. If the chemical composition is calcium | | | | furnishings. It is not as hard as quartzite, or as |
| carbonate, then travertine has formed. | | | | smooth as marble, although it can take a honed |
| In its purest form travertine is a very pale color, | | | | finish. Travertine is also available as Tufa, and as |
| however imperfections in its structural make up, | | | | onyx, a semi translucent stone. |
| such as the presence of iron, can cause beautifully | | | | Travertine is mined heavily in Italy, the U.S. and |
| colorful banding to occur across the face of this | | | | turkey. Historically it was used by the Romans, |
| stone. Different minerals imperfections cause | | | | Byzantines, and ottoman empires in their ancient |
| different colors, and the streaked nature of the | | | | architecture. Today it is widely used both indoor |
| imperfections cause different designs. This means | | | | and outdoor and is one of the most versatile |
| that no two pieces ever really look alike. It is | | | | components available on the market. |
| however grouped into quarry names where | | | | |