About Natural Stone Institute

The Natural Stone Institute is a trade association representing every aspect of the natural stone industry. The current membership exceeds 2,000 members in over 50 countries. The association offers a wide array of technical and training resources, professional development opportunities, regulatory advocacy, and networking events. Two prominent publications—the Dimension Stone Design Manual and Building Stone Magazine—raise awareness within the natural stone industry and in the design community for best practices and uses of natural stone.

The association serves as the authoritative source for safety and technical standards and information regarding the use of natural stone. It operates an industry accreditation program and two prestigious awards programs, as well as a continuing education program for architects and designers.

The Natural Stone Institute was formed in 2018 as a merger of the Marble Institute of America and the Building Stone Institute.  The Building Stone Institute was formed in 1894 as the International Cut Stone Contractors and Quarrymen’s Association; the name was changed to the Building Stone Institute in 1955. Established in 1903 as the National Association of Marble Dealers, the Marble Institute of America officially formed in 1944, when the association merged with the National Association of Marble Producers. In 1962, the National Association of Marble Builders merged with MIA. In 2021, the National Building Granite Quarriers Association (NBGQA) merged with the Natural Stone Institute. The NBGQA was founded in 1916.