Stone is a creation of nature and every piece is unique and original. Behind each stone lies a particular piece of history from where it originated. These tiles first started out as large boulders cut away from the hillsides, they are then cut down to blocks of stone and sliced into slabs, to be refined and brushed or polished to enhances its rich textures. The luster, hardness and color variations are what makes a natural stone a one-of-a-kind surface. Tile patterns and design layouts can really enhance the overall look and feel of any space. From a basic brick pattern, a French Versailles layout, or an intricate herringbone pattern, the design options are endless. Various terms are used in the stone industry, below are some words you will encounter when working with tile and flooring.

Brushed: features a worn-down look which is achieved by brushing the stone with a steel or nylon brush. It leaves a lightly textured surface that tends to be more resilient to scratches and marks.

Flamed: created by passing an oxy-acetylene torch over the surface of the stone and immediately followed with a cold pressurized jet of water to fracture the top surface of the stone.

Honed: created in a similar way to polishing but the process stops with a coarser grade of grit. Meaning the finish is less glossy and reflective but still smooth and may have a small degree of sheen.

Polished: a high gloss polish is achieved by grinding the surface of the stone with a series of increasingly fine diamond grit floor pads. A final process can be applied using Oxalic acid or a crystallizing compound can be used for a mirror-like effect.