Industry Resources
Announcement of new leadership team
From 1 February 2025, the board of directors of Stone Initiatives is comprised of Thomas Baggs, Mark Milevski and Kate Tonkin. Each brings a wealth of knowledge and experience,
Snapshot: Mark Milevski, Co-Director
From collecting rocks as a child to working on some of Australia’s most valued heritage structures, Mark Milevski shares a snapshot of his journey with natural stone. Get to
Snapshot: Kate Tonkin, Co-Director
From netball courts to luxury hotels, Kate Tonkin has evaluated all types of flooring and surfaces right around Australia. Get to know Kate, Co-Director and Materials Testing Spe
Snapshot: Thomas Baggs, Co-Director
With specialisations in failure investigation and mineralogical testing services, Thomas Baggs is a keen problem solver who enjoys a challenge. Get to know Tom, Co-Director and Sci
A new chapter: Founder Jim Mann retires
Jim Mann, founder of Stone Initiatives and one of Australasia’s foremost experts in stone, has made the decision to retire. Since 2003 Jim has been a driving force behind the com
Expert Q&A: Slip testing for netball courts
Materials testing specialist Kate Tonkin answers what you need to know about slip resistance testing for netball courts – from tips on reducing the slipperiness of a co
What is Slip Testing?
From a rubber slider on a pendulum arm to, a pair of bare feet on a platform, there are various standardised methods of slip testing in Australia. Each is designed to measure the s
Magnified images of stone: What’s inside?
Have you ever wondered what the vibrant colours and unique forms in magnified images of stone represent? These striking photographs can appear as works of art, but they can also as
Quick guide: When should slip testing be conducted?
This quick guide looks at when and how often slip testing should be conducted, and why regular professional testing of public flooring surfaces is so important. How often a floorin
Case study: Currency Creek Railway Viaduct Restoration
Stone Initiatives has provided analytical heritage services for the restoration of a 157-year-old railway viaduct located in the South Australian township of Currency Creek. Engage
Quick guide: What are the slip resistance standards in Australia?
This quick guide explains the basics of slip resistance standards in Australia: What they are, how they are different for new and existing flooring surfaces, and which test methods
Quick guide: What is a good slip rating?
Are you wondering what achieving a ‘good’ slip rating means for your project? This quick guide explains the basics of slip resistance Standards in Australia, what constitutes a
Engineered stone ban: What does it mean for builders and specifiers?
This expert Q&A with scientific officer Thomas Baggs answers your pressing questions about Australia’s engineered stone ban. What does it mean for builders and specifier
Slip testing for different industries
Are slip resistance requirements distinct for different industries and workplace types? And are slip testing methods the same for all types of flooring surfaces? This article explo
Top 10 project highlights in stone
Stone Initiatives is celebrating 20 years of expert testing, analysis and guidance on the use of dimension stone. Our team looks back at 10 project highlights over the past two dec
Architect Greg Holman: natural stone in design
Natural stone is a striking and inventive feature across many architectural projects by renowned firm Harry Seidler & Associates. Project architect Greg Holman shares why natur
20 years on: A conversation with Jim Mann
Principal and founder Jim Mann reflects on 20 years of Stone Initiatives, including the influence of fashion on testing regimes, and how the stone industry is becoming more sustain
Will Crystalline silica concerns see engineered stone banned?
Article by Thomas Baggs Two decades after the complete ban of asbestos in Australia, the dangers of respirable crystalline silica are now in the spotlight. With a ban on engineered
How has heritage conservation evolved?
Article by Mark Milevski While many heritage conservation practices have remained consistent over the past 20 years, there are some key areas where the industry and governing bodie
Properties of good building stones
A frequent query we receive at Stone Initiatives relates to “What are the properties of good building stones?” While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, ther
Measuring crystalline silica in stone
This article examines measuring crystalline silica in stone, typical crystalline silica content levels for common building products, and reducing your risk of exposure to the harmf
How to choose a stone sealer: An Introduction
Learn how to choose a stone sealer: what you should consider, why sealers don’t provide complete protection from staining, and what test methods are used to assist sealer sel
Rising damp and salt attack: effects and solutions
Understand the effects of rising damp and salt attack, know how to spot the signs of damage and learn what’s required in a remediation plan. Article by Mark Milevski Rising d
Using petrography to evaluate dimension stone
What is petrographic analysis, what can it reveal, and why is it such a valuable tool in the evaluation of dimension stone? Article by Thomas Baggs Petrography is the study of dime
Slip testing: Expert Q&A
What is a good slip rating? Is there more to slip resistance than identifying slippery surfaces? Here we chat with materials testing specialist Kate Tonkin, head of the finish eval
The risks with pedestal systems and how to manage them
The use of pedestal installation systems for porcelain and other ceramic tiles has increased in popularity. But there are drawbacks and risks associated with pedestal systems, part
Case study: Moonta Mines National Heritage Project
The vital role of mortar analysis in heritage restoration Just a couple of decades ago it was common for heritage structures to be restored with cement. The mindset tended to be al
10 things to know about stone testing
Testing is the starting point for determining the suitability of a specific stone for a particular application. This can include testing the strength of the stone by determini
Heritage mortar: Stories told through analysis
Analysis of a sample from a 1930s Melbourne monument reveals the fascinating stories that can be discovered through mortar testing for heritage conservation projects. Article by Ma
Asbestos in dimension stone: The dangers and how to minimise risk
The use of asbestos has been banned in Australia since 2003, but did you know that it can be naturally present in dimension stone such as some marbles and granites? Whether you’r
Top tips for cleaning stone floor finishes
A helpful guide for maintaining premium floor finishes: How to clean natural stone flooring without damaging the surface and what to do when there’s a spill. Article: Jim Mann Th
Understanding Salt Attack in Dimension Stone
How does salt affect the durability of dimension stone, and when is serious damage likely to occur? Explore the Australian/New Zealand Standard for salt durability testing and get
Get to know Jim Mann, Principal, Stone Initiatives
For Jim Mann, testing is about more than just numbers, and a rock is not simply a rock. The principal of Stone Initiatives says that every piece of natural stone is as unique an in
To Seal, or Not to Seal? Why Good Stone Can Turn Bad
The availability of large-format natural stone pavers at affordable prices has resulted in a dramatic increase in their use. Find out why good-quality paving often deteriorates pre
Four Keys to Successful Stone Selection
Fitness for purpose is fundamental to the successful use of natural stone, but how do we evaluate a stone to ensure its suitability for a particular use or location? In this basic
Which Stone Where? A Beginner’s Guide to Material Selection
Want to make a more informed decision when selecting stone for your next project? You can do so by better understanding the material’s basic properties. Start with this begin
Resistance to Salt Attack Test: A Versatile Tool for Determining Durability
Whether stone is being selected for use as cladding for a curtain wall, as coping for a parapet or for paving around pools and landscaping, durability needs to be considered as a k
How to Choose the ‘Right’ Stone for Your Job
Taking time to learn about some of the important properties of stone can go a long way in ensuring you choose the best materials for your home. Jim Mann, principal of Stone Initiat
Living with Stone: Around the Pool
Pools are no longer just a place for a ‘quick dip’ – they are often the centrepiece of outdoor entertaining, with the surrounding paving and landscaping just as important as
Stability Problems with Natural Stone
This article examines some of the issues related to thermal and moisture stability, using examples of some natural rock stone that Ardex has seen in the last few years.
Granite: The Versatile Stone
What is granite, what makes it so versatile and how can we choose a good-quality stone?
Travertine: Back to Basics
Travertine is often associated with the Colosseum in Rome and its history of use over thousands of years. Now, this unique stone type has made a comeback. But what is it?
Limestone: Back to Basics
Here we explore what limestone is, what makes it so versatile and how to choose a good-quality stone.
Marble: Back to Basics
Marble has been synonymous with prestige and elegance for thousands of years and Australia is now witnessing a resurgence in its use, both inside and out. The subtle colours and de
Basalt: The Warping Issue
The popularity of basalt has spread Australia-wide. With this popularity has come a wide range of imported stone types, some of which tend to curl or warp upon installation. Read o
Onyx: Back to Basics
“Wow!” is what people want to hear after installing onyx. It can be used to add a sense of mystery, set the mood or make a statement. It is indeed a special stone in th
Slip Resistance: Accidents Never Happen!
Pedestrian surfaces can be litigation minefields. Understand the slip resistance of your project and know how to reduce your risk of litigation.
Slip Resistance: Understanding the Basics
With more than twenty years of experience in slip resistance, Stone Initiatives offers some useful insight into the various testing methods available.
Stone in the Built Environment: Commercial Lobby Floors
Are you selecting either natural or engineered stone for use in a commercial lobby floor? Make sure you’ve considered these important criteria.
Stone in the Built Environment: External Paving
With external stone paving and roadways becoming ever more popular in Australia and around the world, what do today’s designers and architects have to keep in mind when decid
A Guide to Specifying Limestone Tiles
Whether installed in a domestic bathroom, a shopping centre or the lobby of a commercial building, limestone tiles should be evaluated for fitness for use based on four performance