The Testing Specialists

Stone Initiatives

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Stone Initiatives provides expert guidance on the use of dimension stone in architecture, heritage restoration and product manufacture. Our important testing and evaluation services help to create safe and lawful built environments.

We are Australia’s only NATA-accredited laboratory specialising in dimension stone. With 20 years of experience, our team provides reliable stone testing and useful results in the fields of surface finishes, heritage, slip resistance, and facades and cladding. We help you minimise risk, meet project requirements and make informed choices for the success of your product.

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Basic Physical Tests

These tests assess stone’s physical performance: water uptake and density (absorption, vacuum, specific gravity), mechanical strength (compressive, flexural, rupture), durability (salt/acid resistance, frost, thermal warp, dimensional stability, abrasion), thermal behaviour and soluble salts, ensuring suitability, durability, and safety in service.

Project Services

Project Services support stone use from quarry to site by developing quality control procedures and specifications, evaluating quarry and processing capabilities, selecting and evaluating raw blocks and slabs, performing quality control testing, and providing independent third‑party material inspections to ensure compliant, reliable stone supply and performance.

Non-destructive Testing

Non‑destructive Testing evaluates material condition and integrity without damage, using Schmidt rebound hardness, ultrasonic pulse velocity, dye penetrant crack detection and visual examination to assess hardness, internal flaws, surface cracks and overall material quality for safe, reliable performance.

Engineering Tests

Engineering Tests determine the mechanical performance of stone systems, including the ultimate strength of stone anchorages per ASTM C1354, static load carrying capacity of tiles on pedestal systems (SI‑CLCP), and impact resistance of tiles under hard‑body loads (SI‑IHB).

Heritage Services

Heritage Services identify and match historical stone, analyse mortar, render, paints and coatings, conduct dilapidation and rising damp surveys, trial consolidation and cleaning methods, and perform sand grain‑size/morphology analysis to support accurate restoration, conservation planning and material compatibility in heritage buildings.

Analytical Testing

Analytical testing characterises stone composition and integrity: mineral content and texture via petrography and XRD, overall chemistry, moisture and pH levels, microscopic structure, soluble salts, and internal quality using ultrasonic pulse velocity, providing essential data on material makeup, durability, and potential performance issues.

Finishes Evaluation

Finishes Evaluation examines surface performance and durability through tests for slip and skid resistance, wear, staining and sealing, polish loss, cracking, impact and chemical resistance, load capacity, adhesion and bond strength, vapour transmission, warp, dimensional and thermal behaviour, and mechanical break loads to ensure safe, durable finishes

Specialist Consultants,
NATA Accredited Lab

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Get to know our directors

Meet The Team

Mark Milevski

Co-Director

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Kate Tonkin

Co-Director

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Thomas Baggs

Co-Director

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Read what others have to say about our work.

Stone Australia Pty Ltd

I have had many dealings with Stone Initiatives over the years and in all cases, Mark Milevski has taken time to guide me through the various forms of materials analysis that are performed on the sample we sent for testing. He explains the process and results sought for accurate findings on the material, so we can deliver a report to our client which I can confidently discuss with them. Mark has taken the time to assist in each case to suggest best locations for sample extraction and quantity or volume required on projects on which we are working, always heritage buildings. The reports delivered are detailed and comprehensive but done in a way that I and my clients can easily understand – layman’s language. These days it is almost a refreshing change to engage with someone in a highly specialized field who will provide the time and easy conversation.

Kent Roxborough, Director

StoneClip

I’ve had the privilege of working with Tom Baggs from Stone Initiatives, and his professionalism and expertise in the stone industry are truly outstanding. Tom combines a deep understanding of his field with the ability to simplify complex technical details, ensuring that clients always feel well-informed and confident … He consistently goes above and beyond to support every client. I highly recommend Tom, along with Jim and the entire Stone Initiatives team, for their expertise, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to excellence.

Daniel Redhead, Managing Director

Tech Dry SA

We’ve worked with Stone Initiatives on numerous heritage projects, and their expertise in salt testing and masonry analysis has been invaluable. Mark Milevski’s knowledge and professionalism are outstanding, ensuring that each project is handled with care and precision. Stone Initiatives’ thorough reporting and commitment to heritage conservation make them our go-to partner for preserving South Australia’s historic buildings.

Neil Williams, General Manager

Our Clients