Limestone/Sandstone

["John Ceprano" <ceprano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

hi anthony
john ceprano here from ottawa, ont

i've been working w/limestone for nearly 15 years -
there's many grades, densities, colors ... and texture
-- and i believe that the limestone in your region is
rather similar to what's available here - the 'visuals'
include the  varified color and layered texture/strata
of the stone, they're not harmonious

the color tends to be cooler than sandstone, more grey
than yellow-brown, though these  colors do occur in
limestone - sandstone has no tooth to it and limestone
does .... that is, the the rough edge of the limestone
is just as tough as the body of the stone, it doesn't
flake off like sandstone, therefore, limestone is
generally not as smooth a surface usually associated
with sandstone .....

limestone produces a petina by the leaching of the
minerals inside, this doesn't occur in the sandstone
---- another point is to look for ANY signs of clear
fossilization - limestone is clay generated and
therefore has the opportunity to maintain a fossil -
sandstone, not usually - the other fool proof test is
working barehanded ....

if you use limestone, the lime in the stone eventually
makes the hands red and irritated ....... wearing gloves
with limestone is necessary to prevent alkyline-burn -
also, i use a mask when drilling and sanding ..... the
dust is not good for the lungs.

hope this helps
john ceprano