Stone Terminology

Stone Terminology

Acid-Washed Finish

An acid-washed finish is shiny with small etching marks (pits in the surface). This finish shows fewer scratches and is much more rustic in appearance than a honed finish. Most stones can be acid-washed but the most common are marble and limestone. Acid washing is also a way to soften the shine on granite.

Antique Cobblestone

Cobblestone that has been reclaimed from city streets and is more than 100 years old.  Monarch Stone International antique collection is from Europe and are 100 – 400 years old.

Brushed Finish

Brushed features a worn-down look achieved by brushing the surface of the stone, simulating natural wear over time.

Flamed Finish

A flamed finish is achieved by heating the surface of the stone to extreme temperatures, followed by rapid cooling. The surface of the stone pops and chips leaving a rough, unrefined texture. This process is usually done with granite. Flamed granite has a highly textured surface, making it ideal for areas where slip resistance might be a concern, like shower areas.

Honed Finish

A honed surface provides a flat, matte or satin finish creating a more informal and softer look. This finish is created by stopping short of the last stage of polishing. A honed finish shows fewer scratches, and requires very little maintenance.

Permeable Paving

A hardscape surface that allows water to penetrate  through porous openings, using porous material in joints and subsurface.

Polished Surface Finish

A polished surface creates a beautiful glossy shine from the natural reflection of the stone’s crystals. The mirror-like shine is accomplished by using progressively finer polishing heads during the polishing process, similar to the way that sandpaper smoothes hardwood furniture.

Reclaimed Stone

Stone that has been returned to a suitable condition for use

Saw-Cut Refined Finish

Saw-cut refined offers a matte finish. After initial cutting, the stone is processed to remove the heaviest saw marks but not enough to achieve a honed finish. You can purchase granite, marble and limestone this way, typically on a special order basis.

Split Faced Finish

Split-faced gives you a rough texture, but one not as abrasive as flamed. This finish is typically achieved by hand cutting and chiseling at the quarry, exposing the natural cleft of the stone. This finish is primarily done on slate.

Tumbled Finish

A  smooth or slightly pitted surface, and broken, rounded edges and corners. There are several methods used to achieve the tumbled look. 3/8″ thick tiles can be tumbled in a machine to achieve the desired look, or 3cm tiles can be tumbled and then split, creating two tiles that are tumbled on one side. Marble and limestone are primary candidates for a tumbled finish.

Veneer Stone

Stone used for vertical surface areas, interior or exterior.

Natural Stone Products