Tenn. Black Marble

["Charles Kibby" <ckibby@zzzzzzzzzzz>]

Bill: Tennessee Pink is a stone near and dear to my heart, I have carved
several pieces from this material and was very satisfied with its uniformity
and coloring.  I have also restored several  building interiors and
exteriors here in California which also featured this material and I am
impressed with its ability to withstand the assault of 20th century
atmospheric pollution and acid rain.  I have visited the quarries south and
east of Knoxville and talked to several people who have attempted to quarry
new blocks in the last twenty years. Apparently most of the material being
marketed these days is taken from blocks that have been sitting around the
old yards since the industry collapsed prior to and during the Great
Depression. That's why Tennesee Marble's website lists maximum slab or tile
size as 4' x 4'.

New blocks taken from below grade in the last twenty years tend to have an
inordinate amount of internal stress which manifests itself in a failure
rate under the slab saw of as much as 80%. If the material cannot be
slabbed, it is not a viable economic enterprise in today's market. There is
plenty of stone there, and it's worth the trip just to see all the old holes
around the county. Even more worthwhile if you take the trip in a pickup
truck.........

Chaz