How is granite processed?

know your stone
Written By Marco Fazio
Granite block at stoneCIRCLE - photo Marco Joe Fazio Creatives
 

Granite’s journey is a blend of engineering and artistry. It starts at the quarry where workers extract blocks and cut them into slabs. After surface finishing (polished, honed, leathered, etc.), they grade and ship the slabs. In our workshop, we photograph and review your selected slab, then convert your design into precise digital templates.

 
Kitagi granite quarry, Japan

Kitagi granite quarry, Japan

Stony Creek Quarry, Connecticut, USA

Stony Creek Quarry, Connecticut, USA

 

CNC saws make primary cuts; routers shape edges; waterjets produce tight radii and complex curves with minimal micro-fracture. Throughout, we use water to cool tools and control dust, ensuring cleaner, more accurate results. Our masons then refine every detail by hand, softening arrises, checking plane flatness, and polishing to the specified finish.

 

A block of Zimbabwe Black granite on our CNC saw.

 

This "tech meets tradition" approach is at the heart of our values. We employ advanced machinery for consistent accuracy and human expertise for superior quality.

 
 

Pre-assembled elements in Cornish DeLank granite for an outdoor water installation

 

Before installation, we stage a dry fit to verify seams and overhangs, seal as required, then transport and install with our own teams to maintain quality. This process guarantees consistent standards. The result is a stone that honours its geological origin while fulfilling modern performance and aesthetic expectations.

 

Zimbabwe Black granite inauguration plaque for the Salisbury Square Development in London

 
Crane lifting a 40 ton granite block in a quarry
Marco Fazio

Marco Joe Fazio is Chief Creative Officer and Director of Photography at space+style™ by Marco Joe Fazio Ltd, where he leads visual storytelling, photography, cinematography and content strategy for clients across hospitality, food & drink, fashion, architecture and design.

Born and raised in Tuscany, Italy, Marco discovered photography at an early age through traditional film and darkroom printing. Before becoming a full-time photographer, he spent two decades working in architecture, interior architecture and lighting design, founding an award-winning practice and leading multidisciplinary teams on projects for international fashion brands.

After moving to London in 2008, Marco became a Chartered Architect with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), combining his architectural background with a distinctive photographic approach that connects people, spaces and brands through visual storytelling.

His work has been recognised with the Fellowship of the British Institute of Professional Photography (FBIPP), together with the prestigious Peter Grugeon Award for Best Fellowship of the Year in 2016. He is also a member of the Association of Photographers (AOP).

Today, Marco specialises in creating strategic visual content for luxury hospitality, boutique hotels, restaurants, drinks brands, interior designers and manufacturers. His work combines commercial photography, cinematography and brand storytelling to help businesses communicate their expertise, craftsmanship and identity through compelling visual narratives.

Alongside his visual practice, Marco brings more than a decade of experience in music composition and sound engineering, enabling him to create bespoke soundtracks and immersive sound design that complement his film productions.

Education and mentoring remain central to his professional practice. He founded the telling [fashion] stories workshop series and lectures in photography and visual communication at London South Bank University (LSBU), supporting the next generation of creative professionals.

The combination of architecture, photography, filmmaking and music gives Marco a distinctive multidisciplinary perspective, allowing him to create work that is visually refined, emotionally engaging and strategically aligned with each client's brand.

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How to approach stone selection for commercial interiors