American Journal of Scientific Research ISSN 2301-2005 Issue 82 December, 2012, pp.83-94 © EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2012 http://www.eurojournals.com/ajsr.htm Natural Stone in Jordan: Characteristics, Specifications and Importance in interior Architecture Raed Al-Share Faculty of Engineering Technology, BAU Wasef Momani Faculty of Architecture and Design, Petra University Asem Obeidat Faculty of Fine Arts, Yarmouk University Nassar Mansour Institute of Islamic Arts and Architecture, W.I.S.E. JORDAN Abstract This study seeks to shed light on the using of natural stone in the Jordanian interior architecture. It also demonstrated its characteristics and importance in the interior designs of the various facilities leading to a balance between the physiological and emotional needs of human being. The results shave showed that inserting the natural stone in the interior architecture of the various facilities gives a unique characteristic in accordance with the requirements of the local environment. Moreover, it provides a technical aesthetic for facilities giving them the comforting sense of luxury and wealth. Keywords: Natural stone, Jordan, interior Architecture, decorations, limestone, granite, marble. 1. Introduction Natural resources are considered to be an important source of national wealth in the entire the world. Many countries have used their natural resources as a starting point to accelerate the economic wheel and to develop its competitiveness ability. However, experience has demonstrated that natural resources in themselves are not sufficient enough to achieve prosperity and economic progress. Thus, long-term benefits can be made in accordance with the resources’ continued existence and its added value through preparing and developing these resources to be used in the various aspects of life. Jordan is considered as one of the countries that are rich in their natural resources including the natural stone. Attentions have been greatly paid on natural stone due to its great role in increasing the national income and economic growth of Jordan. Therefore, the natural stone industry has recently received a clear interest by both public and private sectors as well as the companies operating in this area which were about 7000 companies in the early of this century. The increased number of these companies might be due to the abundance of rock layers with specifications appropriate for the purposes of construction in the geographical territory in addition to the multiple types of natural stone including Limestone, Granite and Marble that have been significantly accepted in the local and regional markets, and now they are competing with the natural stone manufactured in Italy or Turkey.