Belvedere is a granite quarried from a bedrock quarry in Namibia. The dark background is accented with ribbons of gold and white veins that can vary in direction from bundle to bundle. Over millions of years, water has penetrated deep into this stone through small cracks and fissures, causing the iron and other minerals to oxidize. It is this process that produces the rich, vibrant gold tones that are visible in this stone. Due to the qualities of the stone, the slabs are book-matched; 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. 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. As a natural stone product, it is recommended that this be sealed to extend its longevity. Finally, a mesh backing is adhered to the back of the stone to ensure safety while handling and fabricating the slab or tile. However, this does not affect the durability, maintenance or beauty of the stone.