Stonemtg

Stone Initiatives - Stone Testing & Project Finishes Evaluation
+61 (08) 8391 6844
Mon–Fri, 9AM–5PM

Giving Testing Meaning.

About us

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 specializing in dimension stone. With 21 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 minimize risk, meet project requirements and make informed choices for the success of your product.

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SLIP RESISTANCE Our NATA-accredited laboratory is run by skilled technicians who help solve problems and minimise the risk of trips and falls in your project....
DIMENSION STONE TESTING Appropriate testing will determine the properties of the material and give you insight into thickness requirements for various paver formats for it to meet relevant industry standards or load requirements...
FINISHES EVALUATION The Finishes Evaluation Department encompasses slip resistance testing, stain resistance testing and sealer evaluation (among other relevant tests)...

TECHNICAL ARTICLES

View All Articles
Case study: Moonta Mines National Heritage Project
stonemtg June 30, 2025

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 along the lines of “chuck some cement in, make it strong and that’s that.” But experts in the heritage…

read more
Top 10 project highlights in stone
stonemtg June 30, 2025

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 decades, from advising on significant new architectural projects, to helping to preserve some of Australia’s precious heritage-listed structures. 2003 126…

read more

Quick Guides

Quick Guide: how is slip testing conducted?
Quick Guide: how is slip testing conducted?
Quick Guide: how is slip testing conducted?
Quick Guide: how is slip testing conducted?
Quick Guide: how is slip testing conducted?
Quick Guide: how is slip testing conducted?
Quick Guide: how is slip testing conducted?
Quick Guide: how is slip testing conducted?

    OUR DIRECTORS...

    The Three Wise(ish) Ones

    KATE TONKIN

    Co-Director
    Finishes Evaluation & Slip Resistance

    MARK MILEVSKI

    Co-Director
    Heritage Services

    THOMAS BAGGS

    Co-Director
    Mineralogy

    ...AND THEIR MINIONS:

    (The Real MVP's)

    EMILY TONKIN

    Interior Designer
    Finishes Evaluation

    BENJAMIN ROWE

    Laboratory Technical Officer

    CHARLIE SHEARER

    Laboratory Technical Assistant

    COOPER LYNN

    Laboratory Technical Officer

    FIONA VAN DER ZWAAG

    Accounts

    OUR FOUNDER:

    Now Taking Naps

    JIM MANN

    Founder (Now Retired)

    Jim Mann is the founder of Stone Initiatives. He started the company in 2003, guiding its growth and development into a leading international dimension stone and materials testing company. Jim was the principal and chief consultant of Stone Initiatives for more than 21 years, before retiring in January 2025. Jim specialised in the forensic examination of stone material failures, including floor finishes and building facades, for both heritage and new buildings. He has a continued interest in the history behind heritage projects and is fascinated by the hidden aspects of a structure that can be uncovered during the testing and evaluation processes. Jim was a director of the Australian Stone Advisory Association and a technical committee member of the ASTM Committee C18 on Dimension Stone. He was also a member of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).

    read more

    FACADEAND ENGINEERED PRODUCT TESTING

    It ultimately depends on the test method, however, ASTM International has authored standard specifications for the main stone types: granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and travertine. These standard specifications provide benchmark physical property test values that are characteristic of stone that has been used successfully for general structural and building purposes. Generally, the test results covered in these specifications are water absorption capacity, density, abrasion resistance, compressive strength, modulus of rupture strength and/or flexural strength. 

    Answered By Will Wesley

    It ultimately depends on the test method, however, ASTM International has authored standard specifications for the main stone types: granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and travertine. These standard specifications provide benchmark physical property test values that are characteristic of stone that has been used successfully for general structural and building purposes. Generally, the test results covered in these specifications are water absorption capacity, density, abrasion resistance, compressive strength, modulus of rupture strength and/or flexural strength. 

    Answered By Will Wesley

    It ultimately depends on the test method, however, ASTM International has authored standard specifications for the main stone types: granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and travertine. These standard specifications provide benchmark physical property test values that are characteristic of stone that has been used successfully for general structural and building purposes. Generally, the test results covered in these specifications are water absorption capacity, density, abrasion resistance, compressive strength, modulus of rupture strength and/or flexural strength. 

    Answered By Will Wesley

    FACADEAND ENGINEERED PRODUCT TESTING

    It ultimately depends on the test method, however, ASTM International has authored standard specifications for the main stone types: granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and travertine. These standard specifications provide benchmark physical property test values that are characteristic of stone that has been used successfully for general structural and building purposes. Generally, the test results covered in these specifications are water absorption capacity, density, abrasion resistance, compressive strength, modulus of rupture strength and/or flexural strength. 

    Answered By Will Wesley

    It ultimately depends on the test method, however, ASTM International has authored standard specifications for the main stone types: granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and travertine. These standard specifications provide benchmark physical property test values that are characteristic of stone that has been used successfully for general structural and building purposes. Generally, the test results covered in these specifications are water absorption capacity, density, abrasion resistance, compressive strength, modulus of rupture strength and/or flexural strength. 

    Answered By Will Wesley

    It ultimately depends on the test method, however, ASTM International has authored standard specifications for the main stone types: granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and travertine. These standard specifications provide benchmark physical property test values that are characteristic of stone that has been used successfully for general structural and building purposes. Generally, the test results covered in these specifications are water absorption capacity, density, abrasion resistance, compressive strength, modulus of rupture strength and/or flexural strength. 

    Answered By Will Wesley

    SLIP RESISTANCE Our NATA-accredited laboratory is run by skilled technicians who help solve problems and minimise the risk of trips and falls in your project....
    DIMENSION STONE TESTING Appropriate testing will determine the properties of the material and give you insight into thickness requirements for various paver formats for it to meet relevant industry standards or load requirements...
    FINISHES EVALUATION The Finishes Evaluation Department encompasses slip resistance testing, stain resistance testing and sealer evaluation (among other relevant tests)...

    TECHNICAL ARTICLES

    View All Articles
    Case study: Moonta Mines National Heritage Project
    stonemtg June 30, 2025

    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 along the lines of “chuck some cement in, make it strong and that’s that.” But experts in the heritage…

    read more
    Top 10 project highlights in stone
    stonemtg June 30, 2025

    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 decades, from advising on significant new architectural projects, to helping to preserve some of Australia’s precious heritage-listed structures. 2003 126…

    read more

    Quick Guides

    Get to know Jim Mann, Principal, Stone Initiatives
    Slip testing: Expert Q&A
    20 years on: A conversation with Jim Mann
    Architect Greg Holman: natural stone in design
    Engineered stone ban builders and specifiers

    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

    by stonemtg
    //
    June 30, 2025

    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 evaluation department at

    by stonemtg
    //
    June 30, 2025

    The Stone Initiatives team in 2023 (back L–R): Thomas Baggs, Kate Tonkin, Emily Tonkin, Mark Milevski, Will Wesley, James Mann; (front L–R): Jim Mann, Cooper Lynn, Fiona van der Zwaag.

    by stonemtg
    //
    June 30, 2025

    Natural stone is a striking and inventive feature across many architectural projects by renowned firm Harry Seidler & Associates. Project architect Greg Holman shares why natural stone is a go-to product for

    by stonemtg
    //
    June 30, 2025

    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 specifiers? Q&A updated April 26, 2024 Why is

    by stonemtg
    //
    June 30, 2025

    OUR DIRECTORS...

    The Three Wise(ish) Ones

    KATE TONKIN

    Co-Director
    Finishes Evaluation & Slip Resistance

    MARK MILEVSKI

    Co-Director
    Heritage Services

    THOMAS BAGGS

    Co-Director
    Mineralogy

    ...AND THEIR MINIONS:

    (The Real MVP's)

    EMILY TONKIN

    Interior Designer
    Finishes Evaluation

    BENJAMIN ROWE

    Laboratory Technical Officer

    CHARLIE SHEARER

    Laboratory Technical Assistant

    COOPER LYNN

    Laboratory Technical Officer

    FIONA VAN DER ZWAAG

    Accounts

    OUR FOUNDER:

    Now Taking Naps

    JIM MANN

    Founder (Now Retired)

    Jim Mann is the founder of Stone Initiatives. He started the company in 2003, guiding its growth and development into a leading international dimension stone and materials testing company. Jim was the principal and chief consultant of Stone Initiatives for more than 21 years, before retiring in January 2025. Jim specialised in the forensic examination of stone material failures, including floor finishes and building facades, for both heritage and new buildings. He has a continued interest in the history behind heritage projects and is fascinated by the hidden aspects of a structure that can be uncovered during the testing and evaluation processes. Jim was a director of the Australian Stone Advisory Association and a technical committee member of the ASTM Committee C18 on Dimension Stone. He was also a member of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS).

    read more

    FACADEAND ENGINEERED PRODUCT TESTING

    It ultimately depends on the test method, however, ASTM International has authored standard specifications for the main stone types: granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and travertine. These standard specifications provide benchmark physical property test values that are characteristic of stone that has been used successfully for general structural and building purposes. Generally, the test results covered in these specifications are water absorption capacity, density, abrasion resistance, compressive strength, modulus of rupture strength and/or flexural strength. 

    Answered By Will Wesley

    It ultimately depends on the test method, however, ASTM International has authored standard specifications for the main stone types: granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and travertine. These standard specifications provide benchmark physical property test values that are characteristic of stone that has been used successfully for general structural and building purposes. Generally, the test results covered in these specifications are water absorption capacity, density, abrasion resistance, compressive strength, modulus of rupture strength and/or flexural strength. 

    Answered By Will Wesley

    It ultimately depends on the test method, however, ASTM International has authored standard specifications for the main stone types: granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and travertine. These standard specifications provide benchmark physical property test values that are characteristic of stone that has been used successfully for general structural and building purposes. Generally, the test results covered in these specifications are water absorption capacity, density, abrasion resistance, compressive strength, modulus of rupture strength and/or flexural strength. 

    Answered By Will Wesley

    FACADEAND ENGINEERED PRODUCT TESTING

    It ultimately depends on the test method, however, ASTM International has authored standard specifications for the main stone types: granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and travertine. These standard specifications provide benchmark physical property test values that are characteristic of stone that has been used successfully for general structural and building purposes. Generally, the test results covered in these specifications are water absorption capacity, density, abrasion resistance, compressive strength, modulus of rupture strength and/or flexural strength. 

    Answered By Will Wesley

    It ultimately depends on the test method, however, ASTM International has authored standard specifications for the main stone types: granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and travertine. These standard specifications provide benchmark physical property test values that are characteristic of stone that has been used successfully for general structural and building purposes. Generally, the test results covered in these specifications are water absorption capacity, density, abrasion resistance, compressive strength, modulus of rupture strength and/or flexural strength. 

    Answered By Will Wesley

    It ultimately depends on the test method, however, ASTM International has authored standard specifications for the main stone types: granite, marble, limestone, sandstone and travertine. These standard specifications provide benchmark physical property test values that are characteristic of stone that has been used successfully for general structural and building purposes. Generally, the test results covered in these specifications are water absorption capacity, density, abrasion resistance, compressive strength, modulus of rupture strength and/or flexural strength. 

    Answered By Will Wesley

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    Accreditation

    We also choose relevant tests from the range of Australian and International Standards that are most appropriate for your job, taking into account your specific project specifications. Once the testing has been completed, we work with you to ensure you understand what the test results mean and how you can use the results for the benefit of your product or project

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    Testimonials

    TRUSTED BY CLIENTS , BACKED BY RESULTS

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    I have worked with Mark Milevski at Stone Initiatives for approximately ten years on numerous state heritagelisted projects. He has always been extremely professional, thorough, reliable and interested in his work. The reports I receive have a very high level of detail and are easy to interpret and apply to real-world situations. I have recommended Mark and the team at Stone initiatives to colleagues and architects across Australia and will continue to do so.

    James Biven, Senior Project Manager, Duratec Limited

    I have worked with Mark Milevski at Stone Initiatives for approximately ten years on numerous state heritagelisted projects. He has always been extremely professional, thorough, reliable and interested in his work. The reports I receive have a very high level of detail and are easy to interpret and apply to real-world situations. I have recommended Mark and the team at Stone initiatives to colleagues and architects across Australia and will continue to do so.

    James Biven, Senior Project Manager, Duratec Limited

    TRUSTED BY

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