Stone vs. Metal — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 18, 2023
Stone is a naturally occurring solid substance, often mineral-based. Metal is an element or alloy, usually lustrous and conductive. Both are materials with distinct properties and uses.
Difference Between Stone and Metal
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Stone is a hard, naturally occurring substance that forms from mineral deposits over time. It's a result of geological processes and is often extracted from the earth in large chunks. Metal, on the other hand, is a substance that typically originates from mineral ore and is characterized by its ability to conduct heat and electricity.
Stones come in various forms, like granite, marble, or limestone, and have been utilized for construction, decoration, and tools since ancient times. Metals, like iron, copper, or gold, are elements or alloys and have diverse applications ranging from construction to electrical circuits.
The physical properties of Stone and Metal significantly differ. While stones are generally insulators, metals are conductors. This distinction makes metals essential for many modern technologies, whereas stones find more prevalent use in construction and artistry.
The extraction process also sets them apart. Stones are usually quarried, meaning they're carved out in sizable pieces from the earth. Metals, conversely, are typically mined from ores and then smelted to extract the pure metal.
Both Stone and Metal have historical significance. Early human eras were named after them: the Stone Age, when tools were made primarily of stone, and the Bronze and Iron Ages, named after the predominant metals of the time.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Naturally occurring solid
Extracted from mineral ores
Conductivity
Typically an insulator
Conducts heat and electricity
Applications
Construction, tools, artistry
Construction, machinery, electronics
Extraction
Quarried
Mined and smelted
Historical Significance
Stone Age tools
Bronze and Iron Age tools and artifacts
Compare with Definitions
Stone
A hard, naturally occurring material often used in construction.
They built the house with local Stone.
Metal
Any of several chemical elements, like iron or copper.
Iron is a Metal essential for construction.
Stone
A small piece of rock, often found on beaches or pathways.
The path was lined with smooth, colorful Stones.
Metal
A metal (from Greek μέταλλον métallon, "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typically malleable (they can be hammered into thin sheets) or ductile (can be drawn into wires).
Stone
The solid inner part of some fruits, like peaches or plums.
She carefully removed the Stone from the cherry.
Metal
A solid material which is typically hard, shiny, malleable, fusible, and ductile, with good electrical and thermal conductivity (e.g. iron, gold, silver, and aluminium, and alloys such as steel)
Being a metal, aluminium readily conducts heat
An adjustable pole made of metal
Stone
A gem or precious jewel.
The ring had a beautiful emerald Stone.
Metal
Broken stone for use in making roads
The work also involves dealing with rock aggregates for potential use as suitable road metal
Stone
Hard solid non-metallic mineral matter of which rock is made, especially as a building material
The houses are built of stone
High stone walls
Metal
Molten glass before it is blown or cast.
Stone
A piece of stone shaped for a purpose, especially one of commemoration, ceremony, or demarcation
A memorial stone
Boundary stones
Metal
Heavy metal or similar rock music
Crunching power-trio metal
Industrial music is also a blend of metal and techno
Stone
A hard seed in a cherry, plum, peach, and some other fruits.
Metal
Made from or coated with metal
A range of metalled key rings
Stone
A unit of weight equal to 14 lb (6.35 kg)
I weighed 10 stone
Metal
Make or mend (a road) with road metal
The road was metalled and tolls charged for the upkeep
Follow the metalled road for about 200 yards
Stone
A natural shade of whitish or brownish-grey
Stone stretch trousers
Metal
Any of a category of electropositive elements that usually have a shiny surface, are generally good conductors of heat and electricity, and can be melted or fused, hammered into thin sheets, or drawn into wires. Typical metals form salts with nonmetals, basic oxides with oxygen, and alloys with one another.
Stone
Throw stones at
Two people were stoned to death
Policemen were stoned by the crowd
Metal
An alloy of two or more metallic elements.
Stone
Remove the stone from (a fruit).
Metal
An object made of metal.
Stone
Build, face, or pave with stone
The honey-stoned, eighteenth-century city
Metal
Basic character; mettle.
Stone
Concreted earthy or mineral matter; rock.
Metal
Broken stones used for road surfaces or railroad beds.
Stone
Such concreted matter of a particular type. Often used in combination
Sandstone.
Soapstone.
Metal
Molten glass, especially when used in glassmaking.
Stone
A small piece of rock.
Metal
Molten cast iron.
Stone
A piece of rock that is used in construction
A coping stone.
A paving stone.
Metal
(Printing) Type made of metal.
Stone
A gravestone or tombstone.
Metal
(Music) Heavy metal.
Stone
A grindstone, millstone, or whetstone.
Metal
To cover or surface (a roadbed, for example) with broken stones.
Stone
A milestone or boundary.
Metal
(heading) Chemical elements or alloys, and the mines where their ores come from.
Stone
A gem or precious stone.
Metal
Any of a number of chemical elements in the periodic table that form a metallic bond with other metal atoms; generally shiny, somewhat malleable and hard, often a conductor of heat and electricity.
Stone
Something, such as a hailstone, resembling a stone in shape or hardness.
Metal
Any material with similar physical properties, such as an alloy.
Stone
(Botany) The hard covering enclosing the seed in certain fruits, such as the cherry, plum, or peach.
Metal
(astronomy) An element which was not directly created after the Big Bang but instead formed through nuclear reactions; any element other than hydrogen and helium.
Stone
(Medicine) A mineral concretion in an organ, such as the kidney or gallbladder, or other body part; a calculus.
Metal
Crushed rock, stones etc. used to make a road.
Stone
Pl. stone Abbr. st. A unit of weight in Great Britain, 14 pounds (6.4 kilograms).
Metal
(mining) The ore from which a metal is derived.
Stone
(Printing) A table with a smooth surface on which page forms are composed.
Metal
(obsolete) A mine from which ores are taken.
Stone
Relating to or made of stone
A stone wall.
Metal
(tincture) A light tincture used in a coat of arms, specifically argent (white or silver) and or (gold).
Stone
Made of stoneware or earthenware.
Metal
Molten glass that is to be blown or moulded to form objects.
Stone
Complete; utter. Often used in combination
A stone liar.
Stone-deaf.
Metal
(music) A category of rock music encompassing a number of genres (including thrash metal, death metal, heavy metal, etc.) characterized by strong drum-beats and distorted guitars.
Stone
Completely; utterly
Stone cold.
Standing stone still.
Metal
The substance that constitutes something or someone; matter; hence, character or temper.
Stone
To hurl or throw stones at, especially to kill with stones.
Metal
The effective power or calibre of guns carried by a vessel of war.
Stone
To remove the stones or pits from.
Metal
The rails of a railway.
Stone
To furnish, fit, pave, or line with stones.
Metal
The actual airline operating a flight, rather than any of the codeshare operators.
We have American Airlines tickets, but it's on British Airways metal.
Stone
To rub on or with a stone in order to polish or sharpen.
Metal
(music) Characterized by strong drum-beats and distorted guitars.
Stone
(Sports) To block a shot taken by (an opponent). Used of a goalie.
Metal
Having the emotional or social characteristics associated with metal music; brash, bold, frank, unyielding, etc.
Stone
(Obsolete) To make hard or indifferent.
Metal
To make a road using crushed rock, stones etc.
Stone
(uncountable) A hard earthen substance that can form large rocks.
Metal
An elementary substance, as sodium, calcium, or copper, whose oxide or hydroxide has basic rather than acid properties, as contrasted with the nonmetals, or metalloids. No sharp line can be drawn between the metals and nonmetals, and certain elements partake of both acid and basic qualities, as chromium, manganese, bismuth, etc.
Stone
A small piece of stone, a pebble.
Metal
Ore from which a metal is derived; - so called by miners.
Stone
A gemstone, a jewel, especially a diamond.
Metal
A mine from which ores are taken.
Slaves . . . and persons condemned to metals.
Stone
(British) A unit of mass equal to 14 pounds (≈6.3503 kilograms), formerly used for various commodities (wool, cheese, etc.), but now principally used for personal weight.
Metal
The substance of which anything is made; material; hence, constitutional disposition; character; temper.
Not till God make men of some other metal than earth.
Stone
(botany) The central part of some fruits, particularly drupes; consisting of the seed and a hard endocarp layer.
A peach stone
Metal
Courage; spirit; mettle. See Mettle.
Stone
(medicine) A hard, stone-like deposit.
Metal
The broken stone used in macadamizing roads and ballasting railroads.
Stone
(board games) A playing piece made of any hard material, used in various board games such as backgammon and go.
Metal
The effective power or caliber of guns carried by a vessel of war.
Stone
A dull light grey or beige, like that of some stones.
Metal
Glass in a state of fusion.
Stone
(curling) A 42-pound, precisely shaped piece of granite with a handle attached, which is bowled down the ice.
Metal
The rails of a railroad.
Stone
A monument to the dead; a gravestone or tombstone.
Metal
To cover with metal; as, to metal a ship's bottom; to metal a road.
Stone
(obsolete) A mirror, or its glass.
Metal
Any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
Stone
(obsolete) A testicle.
Metal
A mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten;
Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper
Stone
A stand or table with a smooth, flat top of stone, commonly marble, on which to arrange the pages of a book, newspaper, etc. before printing.
Metal
Cover with metal
Stone
(transitive) To pelt with stones, especially to kill by pelting with stones.
She got stoned to death after they found her.
Metal
Containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal;
A metallic compound
Metallic luster
The strange metallic note of the meadow lark, suggesting the clash of vibrant blades
Stone
(transitive) To wall with stones.
Metal
A typically shiny material known for conductivity and malleability.
Gold, a precious Metal, is used in jewelry.
Stone
(transitive) To remove a stone from (fruit etc.).
Metal
A material used to make coins.
The coins are made of a blend of different Metals.
Stone
(intransitive) To form a stone during growth, with reference to fruit etc.
Metal
A style of loud, aggressive rock music.
Heavy Metal concerts are known for their energy.
Stone
To intoxicate, especially with narcotics. Usually in passive
Metal
Determination or mettle.
He showed his true Metal during the challenge.
Stone
To do nothing, to stare blankly into space and not pay attention when relaxing or when bored.
Stone
(transitive) To lap with an abrasive stone to remove surface irregularities.
Stone
Constructed of stone.
Stone walls
Stone
Having the appearance of stone.
Stone pot
Stone
Of a dull light grey or beige, like that of some stones.
Stone
(AAVE) Used as an intensifier.
She is one stone fox.
Stone
(LGBT) Willing to give sexual pleasure but not to receive it.
Stone butch; stone femme
Pillow princess
Stone
As a stone used with following adjective.
My father is stone deaf. This soup is stone cold.
Stone
(slang) Absolutely, completely used with following adjectives.
I went stone crazy after she left.
I said the medication made my vision temporarily blurry, it did not make me stone blind.
Stone
Concreted earthy or mineral matter; also, any particular mass of such matter; as, a house built of stone; the boy threw a stone; pebbles are rounded stones.
They had brick for stone, and slime . . . for mortar.
Stone
A precious stone; a gem.
Stone
Something made of stone. Specifically: -
Stone
The glass of a mirror; a mirror.
Lend me a looking-glass;If that her breath will mist or stain the stone,Why, then she lives.
Stone
A calculous concretion, especially one in the kidneys or bladder; the disease arising from a calculus.
Stone
A monument to the dead; a gravestone.
Should some relenting eyeGlance on the where our cold relics lie.
Stone
One of the testes; a testicle.
Stone
The hard endocarp of drupes; as, the stone of a cherry or peach. See Illust. of Endocarp.
Stone
A weight which legally is fourteen pounds, but in practice varies with the article weighed.
Stone
Fig.: Symbol of hardness and insensibility; torpidness; insensibility; as, a heart of stone.
I have not yet forgot myself to stone.
Stone
A stand or table with a smooth, flat top of stone, commonly marble, on which to arrange the pages of a book, newspaper, etc., before printing; - called also imposing stone.
Stone
To pelt, beat, or kill with stones.
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Stone
To make like stone; to harden.
O perjured woman! thou dost stone my heart.
Stone
To free from stones; also, to remove the seeds of; as, to stone a field; to stone cherries; to stone raisins.
Stone
To wall or face with stones; to line or fortify with stones; as, to stone a well; to stone a cellar.
Stone
To rub, scour, or sharpen with a stone.
Stone
A lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter;
He threw a rock at me
Stone
Material consisting of the aggregate of minerals like those making up the Earth's crust;
That mountain is solid rock
Stone is abundant in New England and there are many quarries
Stone
Building material consisting of a piece of rock hewn in a definite shape for a special purpose;
He wanted a special stone to mark the site
Stone
A crystalline rock that can be cut and polished for jewelry;
He had the gem set in a ring for his wife
She had jewels made of all the rarest stones
Stone
The hard inner (usually woody) layer of the pericarp of some fruits (as peaches or plums or cherries or olives) that contains the seed;
You should remove the stones from prunes before cooking
Stone
An avoirdupois unit used to measure the weight of a human body; equal to 14 pounds;
A heavy chap who must have weighed more than twenty stone
Stone
United States filmmaker (born in 1946)
Stone
United States feminist and suffragist (1818-1893)
Stone
United States journalist who advocated liberal causes (1907-1989)
Stone
United States jurist who served on the United States Supreme Court as Chief Justice (1872-1946)
Stone
United States architect (1902-1978)
Stone
A lack of feeling or expression or movement;
He must have a heart of stone
Her face was as hard as stone
Stone
Kill by throwing stones at;
Adulterers should be stoned according to the Koran
Stone
Remove the pits from;
Pit plums and cherries
Stone
Of any of various dull tannish-gray colors
Stone
A unit of weight commonly used in the UK, equal to 14 pounds.
He lost two Stones after his fitness regimen.
Common Curiosities
Can metals be found in a pure state in nature?
Some metals, like gold, can be found in a pure state, while others are usually bound in ores.
Are all stones non-conductive?
Generally, stones are insulators, but there are exceptions like certain minerals.
Are all metals magnetic?
No, only certain metals like iron and nickel exhibit strong magnetism.
Why are some stones precious?
Rarity, color, clarity, and demand contribute to a stone's value.
What's the hardest natural stone?
Diamond is the hardest known natural stone.
What's the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust?
Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust.
Are metals always solid at room temperature?
Most metals are solid at room temperature, but mercury is a notable exception.
Are diamonds considered stones?
Yes, diamonds are a form of carbon and are considered gemstones.
Is sand a type of stone?
Sand is composed of small particles of rock and mineral, so it's related to stone but is granular.
What is a metal alloy?
An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals, like bronze, which is copper and tin.
Why do metals conduct electricity?
Metals have free-moving electrons which allow them to conduct electricity.
Can stones melt?
Yes, under high temperatures, stones can melt and form magma.
Are all stones heavy?
Weight varies; while some stones like granite are dense and heavy, others like pumice are light.
Is steel a pure metal?
No, steel is an alloy primarily of iron and carbon.
Can you carve into stone?
Yes, many stones can be carved, and it's an ancient form of artistry.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
