Atacama is quarried from a bedrock quarry in northern India. Its creamy white background is accented by areas of brown and taupe veining. Small areas of oxidation may result in gold areas in the slabs. Due to the qualities of the stone, the slabs are bookmatched; meaning slab one and slab two will be cut and polished to create a mirror image of each other. These are then kept in sequence, which allows for a consistent flow in pattern. During the polishing process, an epoxy resin is applied to the surface of the stone to fill in any natural pits, cracks or fissures that may exist. This does not affect the durability, maintenance or beauty of the stone. It is possible for some of the more minute pits that are too small to effectively hold the resin, to reopen during other finishing stages. However, this will not detract from the overall quality or appearance of the stone. Finally, a mesh backing is adhered to the back of the stone to ensure safety while handling and fabricating the slab or tile. As a natural stone product, it is recommended that it be sealed to extend its longevity.