About Mandarin Stone

Mandarin Stone was founded by Alma Small in 1989, almost by accident... she was approached by an owner of a roofing slate company to market a large consignment of slate tiles already purchased from the US. The youngest of Alma's three children was due to start school in September 1989 and she then expected to return to teaching, but the chance for a different career presented both a new challange and an opportunity for her sales acumen to be developed.

Natural science had always been a fascination to her and had studied Botany, Zoology and Geology, so the chance to sell stone was very appealing, even the company name, 'Mandarin' originated through her interest in ornithology. Her other interests included, house renovation, interior design, antique furniture restoration, garden design, all of which are interelated to natural stone with its diversity of colours and textures.

Still very much a family-run company with its roots based in South Wales, Mandarin has grown considerably over the years and now has several warehouse sites in Monmouth together with seven inspirational showrooms throughout the UK.

Mandarin Stone now imports and stocks over 100 different stones. This selection of natural stone offers endless design concepts for the home and garden; an equivalent range is impossible to find elsewhere.

We pride ourselves on taking a personal approach with every customer’s individual requirements and do hope we can find the right stone for you.