Stonemasonry has evolved since its early beginnings. Even as far back as thousands of years ago, natural stone from quarries was used to build the first homes, churches, and theatres. Today, adding stonework to your home, church, or business is easy and you have many options. Some use stone for their fireplaces, others spruce up their landscape or add a custom path to their front door. As a business or church, you may want to use stone to add beauty and intricate design to your building.

Cast Stone

Modern techniques have made adding stonework to any area much easier. One of the best ways to add stonework that is also great on a budget is by using cast stone. Cast stone is a highly refined building material usually formed by mixing natural elements like quartz, granite, limestone, or marble. Cast stone mix is then pushed through molds to give it a look that resembles the density and texture of natural stone. While this can look authentic, it cuts the cost of paying for the real thing while still adding the value that stonework offers.

Natural Stone

Just like our ancient ancestors, we too can use natural stone to enhance the beauty around us. The historical look of natural stone can give you a unique look that will draw the attention of anyone who happens by. Natural stone can be quartz, marble, limestone, granite, basalt, onyx, and more. By using quarries, natural stones are brought forth from the earth and used for building a variety of things. Because cast stone is created using molds, the amount of detail within the stonework can be minimal. With natural stone, a sculptor can get as detailed or as intricate as possible (think of Greek and Roman marble statues or ancient cathedrals). This level of detail is unparalleled – but you have to pay for it.

How to Choose a Stone for Your Project

Deciding which stone to use for your project can be difficult, but there are some things to consider. While cast stone is often an easier choice and more cost-effective, cast stone has its limitations. Because cast stone is created by mixing stone elements together and pushed through a mold, it can be difficult to add intricate detail through carving. For buildings that need to go up fast, or for walkways or additions to your home that you want to be done quickly, cast stone is a perfect choice.

Natural stone, although more expensive, can provide you with more detail by allowing a professional sculptor to customize it for your needs. If you think back to Roman theatres or Greek marble statues, the level of detail can be incredible, and that is what you can expect from natural stone.

Work With Us

At Petrillo Stone, we love working with all types of stone to help people get their desired results. We love historic cathedrals and monuments that showcase the beauty of natural stone, but we also appreciate the types of buildings that can be erected with the use of cast stone. For more information or for help deciding which stone to use, please contact us today.

This month, we decided to combine our love of history with our passion for beautiful stonework. The result was a collection of some of the most awe-inspiring stonework from around the world. Some are well-known, and some are more obscure, but we hope to showcase just how incredible and long-lasting quality stonework can be. Enjoy!

Ancient Greek and Roman Stonework

Acropolis Stonework in Greece

No one can talk or write about stonework without mentioning Ancient Greece. The Greeks were incredible architects, and they were not discouraged by the countless number of times invaders destroyed their masterpieces. Fortunately, the stonework erected in 482 BCE is still a sight to behold. The once gold and ivory statue of Athena stands atop the Acropolis in the city of Athens. Constructed mainly from limestone, these Greek architects weaved in Pentelic marble to create the jaw-dropping scene you see today.

Just a rock skip away in Rome remains the megalithic Theatre of Marcellus. The architectural influence of many theatres of the time, including the master Colosseum, was built from tufa and travertine, two types of stone known for their ability to resist water absorption. In addition, Marcellus was the first known structure built with fired Roman brick. These skilled architects knew how to construct a robust design, as this is the only theater from the period of Augustus (circa 11 BCE) surviving today.

English Cathedral Stonework

Exeter Cathedral Stone Work

Some of the most eye-catching pillars of architecture from the old world are the cathedrals stamped across England. One of the most noteworthy for stonemasons, such as our team at Petrillo Stone, is the Exeter Cathedral, properly known as the Cathedral Church of Saint Peter in Exeter. Exeter is an Anglican cathedral, and the seat of the Bishop of Exeter, in the city of Exeter, Devon, in South West England. Gothic-styled stonework, the Cathedral was constructed from stone from more than 20 different local quarries. A combination of Salcombe Stone, Chalk, and Devonian Limestone, Exeter is genuinely a structure that architects, stonemasons, geologists, and historians appreciate.

Closer to Home

While we all seem to fancy ancient and olde worlde stonework, we cannot forget that we are surrounded by beautiful stone structures right here in our neck of the woods. Here is our top-three of the must-see stonework around New York City:

St. Patrick Cathedral New York

• Empire State Building. Most of us have probably been to the top, but have you ever stopped to enjoy the stonework? We highly recommend it.
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Built entirely out of stone in the mid-1800s, St. Patrick’s is an icon around New York City. 
• Brooklyn Bridge. Next time you take a drive from Brooklyn to Manhattan, as you stop to take in the views of the city, construction, and rush hour, be sure to gaze up at the beautiful stonework of the piers. The Brooklyn Bridge, constructed mainly of limestone, granite, and steel cables, was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1964.

The Stonework of Petrillo Stone

While the history of Petrillo Stone doesn’t go back quite as far as Ancient Greek, we are very proud of the stonework we have erected and the legacy we have built since 1907. Stonemasonry is not only our career; it is our passion. We would be honored for you to view any of our recent stonework projects. 

Here are some photos we took while gathering materials for a recent project. We used these pieces of stone on an interior project at an office building on Madison Avenue in New York City.

If you’re interested in seeing an interior project later in the process, check out this past post.