Manhattan is quarried from a bedrock quarry in the Sichuan Province of China. During the winter months, this quarry is shut down for a period of time because of the harsh conditions of snow and ice. This is a metamorphic stone which evolved from a limestone due to extreme heat and pressure. As a natural stone product it is recommended that it be sealed to extend its longevity. It is not recommended to install this product in areas that experience frequent wet conditions, such as shower walls and floors, steam rooms and roman tubs. This is due to the iron content in the white marble that may oxidize in wet installations. When installing white marble you must use a white thinset. Using grey thinset will leave trowel lines and could stain the marble.