When we think about the word "stone", the first picture that probably comes to mind is that of a massive grey rock or a pebble, which is the common and ordinary idea that most people have about this noun. So, when we speak of a "stone bath", there might be a myriad of concepts that will come buzzing through our brains, before we actually hit "jackpot" and go, "Oh! So that's what they're talking about!"

It seems a bit absurd, doesn't it? Nevertheless, it’s true. Unless you've actually seen a bath made of stone, you probably won't know what I'm talking about and you won't be able to imagine it, because the idea related to the concept has not yet been formed in your head, neither by first-hand personal experience nor by indirect association. So, let's start from the basics.

The concept of stone

Stone can encompass a series of different concepts, from gemstones to just plain rubble. However, to narrow it down to our present topic, there are mainly three types of rocks:

1. Igneous

2. Sedimentary

3. Metamorphic

The first type of stones are those that are formed from petrified lava, such as granite, pumice and basalt. The second type are formed by a mixed process of sedimentation and evaporation, and compacted throughout many years and cemented during diagenesis; examples of these are mudstone, limestone, shale, siltstone and dolostone. The third type are formed by different combinations of very high temperature and pressure conditions, like marble, slate, quartzite and schist.

The most popular stones for freestanding bath manufacturing have been marble, granite, travertine and sandstone. All very expensive, because it takes a lot of labour to make them (as they need to be carved from a single block of solid stone), they are difficult to transport and very heavy. So, they can't just be placed on your second floor bathroom or just in any apartment, as the floors need to withstand not only the weight of the tub itself, but the added weight of the water it is filled with, plus the weight of the person using it. You can imagine how laborious and wearisome, all this, sounds.

The new stone technology

The new age stone baths have come at last, with the revival of this beautiful, long-lasting and elegant material. The newest technology in freestanding bath manufacturing involves the use of composite stone, which is pulverised limestone, mixed with a special resin and hardened. It merges the best aspects of stone with the benefits of the technology, which makes it lighter, easy to shape into different designs, easier to transport, and have a lower cost. Another great benefit is that, contrary to the above mentioned solid stones, limestone composite is warm to the touch, which means you no longer have to freeze in your bathtub, as the material keeps you and your bath water at a regular temperature.

So, now that you know what stone baths are and have an idea of what they look like, don't be surprised if you start seeing them in places where you never noticed them before, only to discover that they've always been there, right in front of you, the whole time.