Story & Photos by Loren Spangler
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The most beautiful kitchen and bath countertops in Polk County are available at CT Stone Granite and Marble. Peggy Amaro, owner, carefully hand-picks each piece of granite, onyx, and marble after they arrive from their quarry in South America, and brings them to her store. “Only the best sections are chosen for our customers,” she says. “Each slab on display in our showrooms and warehouse is of the highest quality and was selected for its mineral texture, uniqueness of design, and artistic beauty.” From the fabulous choices available at CT Stone Granite and Marble, it is obvious she knows what she is doing.

Granite is the best known of all the plutonic rocks and is formed deep inside a volcano. It consists mostly of feldspar, quartz, mica, and a small quantity of iron-ore. Granite that is low in silica is dark, and its mineral laden feldspars will grade into reds or greens. Peggy will be glad to show you a variety of selections that range from the very conservative to pieces with large crystals and elaborate swirls of gold, quartz, and rubies. If you like, she will also explain the complicated quarry operation to you. When you visit CT Stone Granite & Marble, ask to see the rare granite piece with an embedded dragon and feldspars that turn a vivid blue as you walk by. Another magnificent stone that has to be seen rather than described is a reflective one called Blue Pearl.

Peggy and Vic Amaro recently expanded their business to Winter Haven. With an increase in remodeling and home building in this area, they decided to open an additional showroom. When asked about the number of years they have been in business and how they got started, Peggy replied, “We are a family run operation and started our trade three years ago. My husband, Vic, previously was a master tile contractor and installer. With his expertise and vast knowledge of stonework, switching to custom fabrication counter-tops was a natural progression for us.”

In addition to granite they stock many styles of marble and onyx. Marble is an advanced form of limestone that was formed by compression of sea life over millions of years ago. Like marble, onyx is also marine based, but has a much deeper pattern and is remarkably translucent. It is a very unique stone in that it can be displayed with lights behind it showing the mixture of ancient fossils embedded within. Peggy comments, “Onyx makes a wonderful top to a table, bar, or vanity, and because of its exciting colors, some customers prefer to display it in their homes as fine artwork.” With either one, they have many attractive selections to choose from.

CT Stone Granite & Marble is famous for their custom kitchen bath countertops and homeowner satisfaction of their work. All of the stone, granite, and marble is cut in their shop by laser programmed machines that are able to deliver outstanding accuracy for a perfect fit, regardless of the order. Using the latest technology in diamond cutting bits, blades, and polishing pads, their skilled workers are able to produce the finest quality possible. “There is a tremendous amount of labor that goes into each order, and working steadily with an emphasis on perfection...our crew completes from one to two kitchens per day,” Peggy says.

CT Stone Granite & Marble is located at 1417 third Street Southwest, Winter Haven, FL 33880. The phone is (863) 297-5000. Their warehouse and shop is located at 2020 Memorial Blvd. W. Lakeland, FL 33815. The phone number is (863) 802-3733, and their email address is vctstone@aol.com. The hours of operation are Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. CT Stone Granite & Marble specializes in residential, commercial, and industrial. They are licensed, insured, bonded, and as they say...“will never take you for granite.”