FAQs

Our lava stone is a recyclable natural volcanic stone, a wholly natural solution and not a composite material with reactive additives.

Ranieri is deeply committed to sustainable development, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities) and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). You can find more information about these goals here (link: https://sdgs.un.org/goals).

Our interpretation of “sustainability” prioritizes protecting communities and providing durable material solutions to combat the "throw-away society" mindset, which has been detrimental to the environment. We aim to offer solutions that not only respect the environment in multiple ways but also evoke emotion and wonder. Our extraction process from stone quarries is designed to minimize waste, manual labor, and residues. Even the powdered residues from our processes are beneficially reused in agriculture to enhance soil fertility and increase crop yields.

Quarried lava stone ranges from variegated light grey to dark grey or brown. It is a natural material with variations in mineral content, depending on the specific part of the deposit it comes from. Lower stone layers are denser, while higher layers have more air holes. We select stone for our projects from this wide palette to ensure the best quality and aesthetic appeal.

Ranieri’s “raison d'être” is the custom treatment of lava stone, transforming it into unique, handcrafted objects. Lava is a highly valued and rare material that requires skilled craftsmanship to control and shape. Its capacity to be finished with Vietri glazes makes it an exceptional choice for sophisticated colors and designs, enhancing its natural beauty and versatility.

Glazes serve to color, protect, decorate, and waterproof the stone surface. A ceramic glaze is an impervious layer of a vitreous substance fused to the stone body through firing. Kiln firing increases the resistance of glazed stone surfaces, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor furnishings. Glazing makes stone surfaces highly resistant to wear and tear, and almost indestructible when exposed to water, chemicals, temperature fluctuations, or UV light. Additionally, glazing creates a unique crackle effect during the cooling process, which enhances the aesthetic appeal of lava surfaces, making them stand out.

We start by selecting basalt from the quarry, which is then transported to our facility where the stone is cut to the correct sizes. We use both modern carving technology and traditional hand tooling to create various effects and textures. The natural color of bare lava ranges from grey to brown or charcoal, highlighting the rock's natural character. The ability to cut stone blocks up to 3 meters in size makes lava rock perfect for creating washbasins, bathtubs, bar counters, kitchen countertops, and islands. Our workshops, located at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, employ stone artisans whose skills have been handed down over centuries, preserving the rich traditions of southern Italy.

While we offer standard colours on our website for fast provision of samples via DHL tracked service, we can also recreate precise colours based on your specifications according to RAL Classic or other charts. We can even match colours from physical samples sent to us. This reference can be stored in our library or kept secure just for your company. This sampling process is key to ensuring that your needs are correctly fulfilled. Keep in mind that a small sample may not fully display the enduring character of a large slab, and some of our listed surfaces are artistic in nature, offering more variegation in tonality.

Glazing offers countless possibilities to transform a lava stone surface into a wide palette of colours. The process can be inspired by fashion and design ideas, allowing a vast range of styles and trends to be interpreted through various enamels and decorations. Our research on colours and patterns continues to support the high-end interior design market, with our colour palette constantly expanding. Besides the abundance of enamelled glazes available, depth and character can be added to pieces through different effects. Our consultancy aims to inform and enable customers to take full advantage of the options available, making your projects truly unique.

We embrace the traditional art of Vietri ceramic glazing and hand painting on terracotta, applying these techniques to a volcanic lava stone background. This process transforms the stone into something new and transcendent, with a modern outlook ideal for interior design. Creating unique projects in this manner is fundamental to our way of operation.

We carefully extract the stone from the quarry, selecting it based on color, character, and tone. The stone is then cut and polished to prepare it for further actions. We offer decoration and patterns that enhance the underlying stone's character. Our deep color glazes use an engobe underglaze, which can fully cover and hide the stone. Additionally, we offer Vietri hand-painting artwork, traditionally used on terracotta surfaces, for specific project needs. The lava stone is then baked at high temperatures, resulting in a tough and versatile solution suitable for various applications such as wall cladding, countertops, tiles, bar fronts, and durable external furniture or façades. Decorated lava stone tiles are unique both in material and technique. Our decorative patterns are designed for both small and large surfaces, creating blanket effects and endless repetitions that work well on both horizontal and vertical planes. These patterns, inspired by geometries and fabrics, are reimagined with enamel glazing on partially revealed bare stone.

Yes, we offer extensive customization options for our lava stone products. Our team of skilled artisans can tailor the stone to your specific requirements, including custom cuts, colors, and finishes. Whether you need a unique color glaze or a specific texture, we can create bespoke pieces that perfectly match your vision.

We provide a variety of finishes for lava stone, including matte, glossy, and textured surfaces. Our finishes can highlight the natural beauty of the stone or add a distinctive touch to match your design preferences. Each finish is designed to enhance the stone's unique properties and aesthetic appeal.

Lava stone offers several benefits, including:

• Exceptional durability and resistance to high temperatures, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.
• Natural antibacterial properties, which make it a great choice for kitchen countertops and bathroom surfaces.
• Unique aesthetic qualities with a range of colors and textures, allowing for versatile design applications.
• Sustainability and recyclability, contributing to environmentally responsible construction practices.

Caring for lava stone is relatively simple. Regular cleaning with mild soap and water is usually sufficient. For tougher stains, a gentle, non-abrasive cleaner can be used. It’s also recommended to seal the stone periodically to maintain its luster and protect it from stains and scratches.

Yes, we provide samples of our lava stone products to help you make an informed decision. You can request samples through our website or by contacting our customer service team. We also recommend visiting our showroom to see the full range of products and finishes available.

Our lava stone is sourced from quarries near Mount Vesuvius in Italy. This location provides high-quality volcanic rock with unique mineral compositions, which we then process and craft into our wide range of products.

The lead time for our custom lava stone products depends on the complexity and size of your order. Generally, production can take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks. Once the product is ready, delivery times will vary based on your location. We will provide a detailed timeline during the consultation phase.

We employ sustainable quarrying practices, including minimizing waste and energy consumption. Our quarrying process is designed to protect the natural landscape, and we ensure that our activities comply with all environmental regulations. Additionally, we work on land restoration projects to rehabilitate quarry sites after extraction.

While lava stone is a durable and safe material, we recommend using protective gloves and eyewear when handling large or unfinished pieces to prevent injury. For installation, it's best to hire a professional to ensure proper handling and placement.

Yes, lava stone is an excellent material for use with underfloor heating systems due to its thermal properties. It can efficiently retain and distribute heat, making it a comfortable and energy-efficient choice for your flooring needs.

We stand behind the quality of our products. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact us within 30 days to discuss a return or exchange. Custom-made products may have different return policies, which will be outlined in your order agreement.

While we do not provide installation services directly, we can recommend experienced contractors who specialize in installing lava stone. We also offer guidance and support to ensure your product is installed correctly.

Yes, we ship our lava stone products worldwide. Shipping costs and delivery times will vary depending on the destination. Please contact our customer service team for a shipping quote and estimated delivery timeframe.

Absolutely! We frequently collaborate with designers and architects to create bespoke lava stone pieces. Our team is available to discuss your vision and provide technical support throughout the project.

Yes, our lava stone products come with a warranty that covers manufacturing defects and issues related to craftsmanship. The warranty period varies based on the product and its application. Please contact us for specific warranty details.

Yes, our products are certified for their sustainable attributes, and we are committed to maintaining high environmental standards. For more information about our certifications and sustainable practices, please visit our sustainability page or contact us directly.