Enameled Lavastone
This unique product begins with a natural stone extracted from the remains of the ancient lava flows from volcanos overlooking the village and springs of Volvic in the Puy de Dome region (Auvergne) of France.
These French quarries are the only ones in the world to provide this exact product: solid, compact, insensitive to low temperatures, fireproof and acid-resistant. As a result, the enameled tabletops, despite their elegance, can be used outdoors as well as indoors. Tables, counter tops, slabs and tiles are all equally at home in very hot places or in freezing temperatures.
A broad palette of standard colors is offered. On request, we will run tests to attempt to match client samples as well. The quarried stone is coated with colored crystals fired at 1000° Celsius making the resultant enamel finish extremely solid.
Three properties contribute to the distinctive look and charm of the finished product:
- The enamel fired at 1000° Celsius becomes inseparable from the rustic base material, yet its transparency allows the stone base to remain visible.
- Since it was boiling when it was formed, the underlying stone is porous, making it easier to enamel. The pores may be irregular and though small pores are easily filled by the enameled, larger ones require special preparation. Neither is totally disguised, however, and the resulting irregularities add to the character and unique appearance of the final product.
- The thickness of the enamel layer on the irregular stone surface creates a crackling effect. The look is a little like ancient Japanese pottery which has survived for centuries without deterioration.
