MIA releases iStone

Words: Garen Graves/Public/News/20120620131500-1.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="The app presents images and technical information of over a 1,000 natural stones from around the world." />
The app presents images and technical information of over a 1,000 natural stones from around the world.
Marble Institute of America, the authoritative source for natural stone standards and education, and studiomarmo, the renowned Italian expert on natural stone graphic and web design, have announced the much anticipated release of iStone, a natural stone swatch application for the iPad that is available in the Apple App Store.

iStone is presented in a beautifully rendered 3D environment and was designed to take advantage of the high resolution screen and advanced capabilities of the iPad tablet. The app presents images and technical information on over 1,000 natural stones from around the world, including a search function that allows the user to filter by stone type, color, country of origin and more. Also included is the ability to view stones in 3D and bookmatch format, as well as, email capability to share images with clients, colleagues or friends.

Designers and architects alike will find the array of colors and information useful in the specification of natural stone. Natural stone professionals will use the app as a replacement for weighty and expensive sample stones or documents.

“The new iStone app is the perfect resource for natural stone professionals, interior designers and architects alike,” said Gary Distelhorst, MIA executive vice president and CEO. “The ability to carry around beautiful images and technical data for over a 1,000 natural stones inside a tool as useful as the iPad is an extraordinary advancement for people who specify or sell natural stone. We are just delighted with how this project turned out and thank studiomarmo for our ongoing partnership.”

MIA Vice President, Jim Hieb added, “anyone that has utilized the MIA’s popular Stone Swatch, Natural Stone Gallery, or Stone Box will agree that this is the next step in presenting that valuable information about natural stone.”

iStone joins MIA’s prior iPad offering, Stones of North America, in the Apple App Stone. To download the iStone app, go to the App Store and search “iStone”. The results will produce several iStone apps, but only one for the iPad. You can also visit www.istoneappforipad.com to learn more or download the application.
Choosing the Best Masonry Brush for the Job
April 2026

In masonry work, whether you are laying brick or block, installing stone veneer, or repairing mortar joints, cleaning up is a big part of the job. It’s easy to focus on the major tools like brick trowels, mixers, and mortar boards, but brushes are just as

Mackenzie Claassen
Technical Talks
Read More
Westminster Abbey Roof Repairs Race To Protect The Masonry Below
April 2026

Westminster Abbey is undergoing long-awaited repairs to its roof, and experts involved in the work say they have discovered hidden secrets along the way. For the masonry industry, the story is less about what's up top and more about what sits beneath it.

The Daily Digest
Read More
Building Stonework That Lasts Beyond the Surface
April 2026

How Today’s Systems Strengthen Traditional Masonry In masonry, longevity has always been the true measure of craftsmanship. Any wall can look impressive the day it’s finished, but the real test comes years later, after the first freeze-thaw cycle, after t

Rob McKay
MAP Partner
Read More
Mastering The Art Of Masonry Repair: The Dos and Don’ts
April 2026

Whether we specialize in repairs and restoration work or new construction, repairs are something that we all must do, at least from time to time. With ever-increasing competition from faster and cheaper building systems, the onus is on us as masonry profe

John Bard
Technical Talks
Read More
Interested in working with us? Learn about and join the Masonry Alliance Program →