Frequently Asked Questions

Carmel Stone Imports carries natural stone, crystalline silica-free quartz, and porcelain, sourced from quarries and producers around the world. Natural stone slabs include Italian marble, quartzite, granite, travertine, limestone, and onyx. The quartz line is crystalline silica-free quartz only.

The inventory also includes large-format porcelain slabs, porcelain tile, designer tile, stone mosaics, and exterior stone and pavers. Because live inventory changes with incoming shipments, contacting a showroom or visiting in person is the most accurate way to see what is available right now.

Our stone is imported from quarries and producers in Italy, Brazil, France, Israel, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, and Spain, among other sources. Founder Robbie Robinson personally inspects the quarries and factories we buy from and works with producers on the colors and finishes in our collections.

Yes. Alongside slabs, we carry porcelain and natural stone tile, designer tile, stone mosaics, and exterior stone. You can browse stone slabs and tile online and filter by material, finish, color, and size, then see the pieces you like in person at a showroom.

Some stones are offered in both formats and some only in one. If you have fallen for a specific stone, send the team its name or SKU and they will tell you which formats are available and whether the finishes match.

Our inventory is live and changes as shipments arrive and slabs sell, so the website is a good starting point but not the final word. Before you make a trip, call or send us the product name or SKU, and the team will confirm what is available at each location.

The team will first look at the closest options in current inventory and can send you photos so you can compare. If nothing in stock fits, they can talk through a special order and confirm timing for you. Lead times depend on the product and where it ships from, so the team gives you a firm answer for your specific project.

Yes, the team regularly helps with matching for additions, repairs, and replacement pieces. Bring a photo, a small sample, an old invoice, or the product name if you know it. Natural stone varies and some materials are discontinued, so a perfect match is not always possible, but the team will search current inventory and tell you honestly what is close.

Carmel Stone Imports sells full slabs. If your project is small, such as a vanity top or a bar, ask your fabricator whether they have remnants that suit it. For small areas, tile in the same stone can also be a good option, so ask the team whether your stone comes in a tile format.

Slab dimensions vary by material and by lot. Sizes are listed on many product pages, and the team can confirm the exact measurements of any slab. Before you select, ask your fabricator for their minimum slab size and layout needs for your project, then share that with us so we can point you to slabs that work.

Natural stone varies from slab to slab, even within the same quarry block, so a website photo shows the character of a stone but not every detail. That is why we encourage you to see slabs at full size in a showroom. If you cannot visit, the team can send photos or video of the specific slabs you are considering.

Carmel Stone Imports has three Northern California locations:

Palo Alto: showroom and 60,000 sq ft warehouse at 3160 W Bayshore Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303. Serves Silicon Valley and the Bay Area.

Carmel: showroom at 26382 Carmel Rancho Ln, Suite 100, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93923. Serves Carmel, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, and the Central Coast.

Sand City: showroom and 20,000 sq ft warehouse at 1725 Contra Costa St, Seaside, CA 93955. Our logistics and inventory hub for Central Coast projects.

See the showroom page for maps and details.

Palo Alto: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, closed Sunday.

Carmel: Monday to Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed Saturday and Sunday.

Sand City: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, closed Sunday.

Hours can change around holidays, so it is worth a quick call before you go.

No. Walk-ins are welcome at all three showrooms, and you can browse the slab yard and tile displays at your own pace. If you would like a team member to set aside time, pull specific slabs, or meet with you and your designer or spouse, call ahead or book a slab selection appointment.

Absolutely. The Palo Alto and Sand City showrooms and warehouses are open to the public, and homeowners are welcome. Walking through the slab yard lets you judge color, movement, and finish at full size, which is very different from looking at a small sample or a screen. Read more about visiting a slab yard without a contractor.

Yes. Our showrooms display natural stone slabs such as marble, granite, quartzite, and travertine next to large-format porcelain, so you can compare look, thickness, and finish in one visit. Inventory rotates with new shipments, so ask the team what is currently on display. Read more about comparing marble and porcelain slabs in one place.

A few things make the visit more productive: photos of your space, a cabinet door or paint chip, a sample of your flooring or backsplash tile, rough measurements or a layout, and your fabricator's contact information if you have one. If you are matching existing stone, bring a sample or photo of it.

Yes, you are welcome to bring anyone who is part of your project. Decisions about stone go more smoothly when the people who will design, fabricate, and install it can see the slabs with you.

Not exactly. Each location carries its own mix, and inventory changes with shipments. If you want to see a particular slab, tell the team which one and they will confirm which showroom has it, so you do not make a trip for nothing.

Yes. You can visit any of our showrooms and buy natural stone or porcelain slabs directly as a homeowner. Our design consultants help you choose the right material and finish for your project and can share referrals to local fabricators when you are ready for installation. Read more about buying direct from a slab dealer.

Yes. Designers, architects, and contractors are a regular part of our customer base. Ask the team about trade pricing and setting up a trade account, and they will confirm the terms for you. For project work, they can also send photos, specifications, and a written quote you can pass along to your client.

Yes. Natural stone is a visual choice, and the team is glad to send photos or video of the specific slabs you are considering, so you can check the veining and movement before you visit or decide. Send the stone name or SKU and your email or phone number, and they will follow up.

Ask the team. When a customer needs to confirm measurements or details with a fabricator, the team can talk through a hold on the slabs you are considering. They will confirm the terms and length of any hold when you ask.

Yes. Take-home samples are available for most materials, so you can see how a stone looks in your own light, next to your cabinets, flooring, and paint. Ask a team member at the showroom or request samples through the contact form.

Our custom tile service follows five steps:

1. Consultation and material selection: you meet with the sales team to define tile size, material, color, finish, and quantity, working with your project manager or architect on shapes and patterns.

2. Estimation: you receive a detailed quote with cost and lead times, followed by a contract or purchase order.

3. Control samples: samples are ordered to confirm the range, finish, and color before production starts.

4. Production: the tile is made to the agreed specifications and shipped to a Carmel Stone Imports warehouse.

5. Quality assurance: a final check before delivery.

It depends on the product, the producer, and where the material ships from. The team gives you estimated lead times in your written quote, so you can plan your project schedule around real dates. If your timeline is tight, tell the team up front and they will start with what is already in stock.

The more detail you share, the faster the team can respond. Helpful details include the stone name or SKU, the finish and thickness or tile size, the approximate square footage or number of slabs, and the delivery address or zip code. If you are not sure of quantities yet, your fabricator or contractor can usually provide them.

For slabs, your fabricator lays out your countertops on the slabs and tells you how many you need, so it helps to talk with them before you buy. For tile, measure the square footage of the area and add extra for cuts and breakage, commonly around ten percent, and more for diagonal patterns. Keep a few spare tiles from the same lot for future repairs.

Several factors play a part: the type of stone, how rare the color and pattern are, where it was quarried, the thickness and size of the slab, the finish, and the cost of importing it. Because we import directly from producers, we can speak to the origin and quality of what we sell. The team will quote the specific slabs you choose.

No. We are a supplier and showroom, so we do not cut, fabricate, or install. You select the material with us, then work with your own fabricator or installer. If you do not have one, the team can share referrals.

Yes. The team can share referrals to fabricators and installers they know and trust. Many customers talk with a fabricator early, since the fabricator can advise on slab size, layout, thickness, and edge profiles before you commit to a stone.

Yes. The team coordinates delivery of slabs to your fabricator, which saves you from arranging transport yourself. Give them the fabricator's name and address when you place your order.

We coordinate delivery for local projects around each showroom, and the team can quote freight for locations further away. Delivery area, cost, and timing depend on your address and what you are ordering, so the team will confirm the details when you request a quote.

Inspect slabs and tile as soon as they arrive, before they are signed for if possible. Look for chips, cracks, and anything that does not match what you selected, and note concerns on the delivery paperwork. Contact the team promptly with any questions.

Sealing is usually handled by your fabricator or installer, or by a stone care professional. Ask your fabricator what sealer they use and how often it should be renewed. If you need a sealing contractor, the team can point you toward one.

Quartzite is a natural stone formed when sandstone is changed by heat and pressure deep in the earth. It is hard and dense, handles heat well, and each slab carries its own veining and movement. Like most natural stone, it benefits from sealing.

True quartzite is dense and resists staining and etching well, but not everything sold under the quartzite name is as hard, and some softer stones such as dolomitic marble are marketed that way. A simple check is to put a drop of lemon juice or vinegar on a sample and leave it for a few minutes: true quartzite will not dull or etch. The team can identify the true composition of any slab and talk through sealing and care before you buy. Read more about quartzite and staining.

Yes. Granite is hard, heat tolerant, and available in a wide range of colors and patterns, from quiet and uniform to dramatic and exotic. It comes in finishes such as polished, honed, and leathered. Like other natural stone, it benefits from periodic sealing, which your fabricator can advise on.

Marble is a calcium-based stone, so acidic things like lemon juice, wine, and vinegar can leave dull marks called etches, and some liquids can stain if they sit. A honed finish tends to hide etching better than polished, and a good sealer protects against stains. Many homeowners choose marble knowing it will develop a soft patina over time, and etches can often be refinished by a stone care professional.

Travertine is a natural limestone with a distinctive banded look and natural pores. It is a popular choice for bathroom floors and walls, showers, fireplaces, and outdoor patios and pool areas. Travertine comes filled or unfilled and in honed, tumbled, and brushed finishes, so ask the team which one suits your project.

Limestone is a natural stone with a soft, matte, warm look that works well for floors, walls, fireplaces, and bathrooms. It is a calcium-based stone, so it can be marked by acidic substances and should be sealed and cleaned with a pH-neutral stone cleaner. Honed finishes are the most common.

Yes, onyx is prized for its translucent, glowing look, especially when backlit. Because it is softer and more delicate than granite or quartzite, it suits low-traffic uses such as vanity tops, accent walls, bar fronts, and feature pieces more than a busy kitchen counter.

Polished is glossy and reflective and brings out color. Honed is smooth and matte, with a softer look. Leathered has a subtle texture and a satin sheen that hides fingerprints and water spots. Brushed has a lightly textured, slightly aged feel. Finish changes how a stone looks and wears, so see your choice in person under real light.

Book matching is a layout technique where two consecutive slabs cut from the same block are opened like the pages of a book, so the veining mirrors across the seam. It is often used on feature walls, islands, and backsplashes. Not every slab suits it, so ask the team whether the slabs you like are available as a matched set.

This refers to slab thickness. Thicker slabs are generally sturdier and are often used for countertops, while thinner slabs are lighter and sometimes used with added support or for wall and cladding applications. Your fabricator will advise which thickness works for your design, edge profile, and cabinets, and the team can tell you which thicknesses a stone comes in.

Stone is formed over millions of years, and every block, and every slab cut from it, develops differently. Color, veining, and movement can vary within one stone type and even within the same lot. This variation is part of the appeal of natural stone, and it is the reason we recommend selecting the exact slab you will live with.

Yes. The only quartz we carry is crystalline silica-free quartz. To see current selections, visit a showroom in Palo Alto, Carmel, or Sand City. If you would like product documentation for a specific slab, ask the team and they will share it with you.

We carry only crystalline silica-free quartz. If you are comparing products, the team can show you our silica free quartz slabs alongside natural stone and porcelain so you can see the differences in person.

No. Quartzite is a natural stone, quarried and cut into slabs, with natural variation in color and veining. Silica free quartz is a manufactured surface, known for a consistent look from slab to slab. Both are used in kitchens, and the right choice depends on the look you want and how you use the space.

Large-format porcelain slabs are big, thin, dense panels, made from fired porcelain, that can cover a countertop, wall, or floor with few seams. They come in finishes that mimic marble, stone, and concrete, and they are used for countertops, shower walls, fireplace surrounds, and outdoor spaces.

Yes, when fabricated by someone with porcelain experience. Porcelain slabs are available in different thicknesses, and your fabricator will advise on edges, seams, and support. Since porcelain is handled differently than natural stone, choose a fabricator who has worked with it before. The team can share referrals.

Large-format porcelain slabs are heavier and more demanding to transport, cut, and install than standard tile. They need careful handling, specialized tools, and experienced fabricators. In return, you get large uninterrupted surfaces with fewer grout lines.

A porcelain slab is a single large panel, often sized for countertops and wall coverings. Porcelain tile is cut into smaller units for floors, walls, and backsplashes and is set with grout joints. Many collections come in both forms, which helps you carry one look across a space.

Natural stone offers one-of-a-kind variation and a depth that is hard to replicate. Porcelain offers a consistent pattern and a surface that stands up well to heat, stains, and sun. The simplest way to decide is to see both side by side. Visit a showroom, and the team will help you compare.

Most natural stone benefits from sealing, especially marble, limestone, travertine, and many granites and quartzites. Sealer slows liquids from soaking in, which gives you time to wipe up spills. How often to reseal depends on the stone, the finish, and how the surface is used, so ask your fabricator or the team for guidance on your specific material.

Try the water test: place a few drops of water on the surface and wait about 15 minutes. If the water beads up, the sealer is working. If the stone darkens where the water sat, it is time to reseal.

Use warm water and a pH-neutral cleaner made for stone, with a soft cloth or mop. Avoid acidic cleaners such as vinegar and lemon, harsh bleach, ammonia, and abrasive scrubbers, especially on marble, limestone, travertine, and onyx. Wipe up spills promptly, and use cutting boards, trivets, and coasters.

Often, yes. Modern sealers and cleaners protect natural stone better than many people expect, and when damage does happen, a stone care professional can often hone, polish, or lift stains out of natural stone. Results depend on the stone and the damage, and the team can refer you to a professional.

Start with warm water and a pH-neutral stone cleaner, using a soft-bristle brush on dirty areas and rinsing well. If a pH-neutral cleaner has not worked, avoid switching to harsh or acidic products, which can damage the stone. Contact the team or a stone care professional for advice on your specific stone.

Granite and quartzite handle heat well, but it is a good habit to use trivets with every surface. Sudden temperature changes can stress stone, and heat can also damage sealers.

Yes. Seal natural stone tile and grout, use a pH-neutral cleaner, avoid acidic or abrasive products, and wipe or squeegee the surface to limit water spots and buildup. Good ventilation helps. Your installer can advise on sealing and care for the specific stone.

A design consultant at your nearest showroom talks through your project, your style, and how you use the space, then guides you to slabs and tile that fit. They help with kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor living spaces, for both residential and commercial projects. Request a design consultation or learn more on our design page.

There is no single answer, since it depends on the look you want and how you cook and live. Quartzite and granite are known for durability and heat tolerance, marble offers a classic look with more care, and travertine and limestone bring warmth. Silica free quartz and porcelain offer more consistent patterns. Come see them side by side, and the team will help you weigh the tradeoffs.

Granite and quartzite are hard and handle daily use and heat well, with granite offering the widest variety of colors and quartzite offering a look closer to marble. Marble is the softest of the three and can etch and stain, but many homeowners love its look and patina. Seeing slabs in person is the most reliable way to choose.

Travertine, marble, limestone, onyx, and porcelain are popular for floors, walls, vanity tops, and showers. For floors and shower floors, choose a honed or textured finish for better traction. Stone mosaics add grip because the many grout lines give more traction underfoot.

Choose a finish that is not slick when wet, such as honed or textured, and pick a stone that is appropriate for constant moisture. Natural stone in showers should be sealed, and your installer will handle waterproofing and the shower pan. The team can recommend options and suggest sample pieces for you to test.

Yes. Using the same stone gives a continuous, calm look, while pairing a slab with a contrasting tile adds interest. Bring a sample of your cabinets and flooring, and compare your slab and tile options together in the showroom.

Yes. Limestone, travertine, marble, and granite are all used for floors. Choose a honed or textured finish for traction, and seal the stone. Your installer will prepare the subfloor and set the tile properly.

Yes. Stone tile or slab is a classic choice for hearths and surrounds. The heat rating and required clearances depend on your fireplace type and local building requirements, so confirm details with your installer.

Granite, limestone, and travertine are common choices for patios, walkways, outdoor kitchens, and pool areas, and we carry pavers, pool coping, and outdoor-rated slabs and tile. For outdoor use, look for finishes such as flamed or brushed that give traction when wet. See our outdoor stone selection.

Many porcelain products are rated for outdoor use, and they hold up well to sun and weather. Not every porcelain slab or tile is outdoor-rated, though, so ask the team to confirm that your selection suits an exterior application.

Carmel Stone Imports is a West Coast importer, wholesaler, and retailer of natural stone, crystalline silica-free quartz, and porcelain. Robbie Robinson founded the business in early 2000 when he purchased a small tile and stone showroom in Carmel, and it has grown to three showrooms and warehouses in Palo Alto, Carmel, and Sand City.

We serve homeowners, designers, architects, and contractors on residential and commercial projects across Northern California. The Palo Alto showroom serves Silicon Valley and the Bay Area, and the Carmel and Sand City showrooms serve Monterey, Salinas, and the Central Coast. Projects in San Francisco, the East Bay, the South Bay, and Napa Valley are welcome too.

At a stone showroom, you see the actual slab you will live with, not a catalog photo, and you get guidance from people who know the material. A specialty supplier carries a wider range of natural stone, including rare marbles and quartzites, and can coordinate delivery to your fabricator. Buying locally also means you can return to compare, add to your order, or match material later. Read more about buying from a local stone supplier.

Natural stone is quarried rather than manufactured, and it lasts for decades with proper care, which reduces the need for replacement. Because much of our stone is imported, transportation is part of its footprint. Selecting durable stone that you will not need to replace is one of the more practical ways to keep a remodel's impact down. Read more about natural stone and sustainability.

Call (650) 800-7840, email info@carmelimports.com, or use the contact page. You can also walk into any showroom during business hours.