Alea
A finish which offers a gently softened edge to the tile and a very light surface texture.
Glossary of terminology
Glossary of Stone Finishes and Terminology.
Antique
A term which encompasses various ageing/distressing methods which achieves a worn look to the stone. Please note that where stones originate from different countries, antiquing methods will vary, and therefore ultimately the look of the stone will vary.
Brushed
A form of antique stone, which has only slight surface texture and a softly rounded edge.
Calibrated
Where the stone has been finished to a uniform thickness.
Cerato
Virtually the same as ‘brushing’. A finish which is used by the Italians in our Renaissance range, leaving the stone with a silky texture.
Chipped
Where the edge of the stone has been worked to give a hand-chipped appearance.
Chiselled
Where the edge of the stone has been chiselled by hand to recreate a traditional looking floor.
Cobble
Generally a smaller stone of greater thickness. Normally used externally.
Cross-Cut
Relates to travertine where the blocks are cut horizontally to achieve its well known mottled appearance.
Fabrication
A term used to describe the process in which large stone slabs are made into bespoke worktops, vanity tops, bath surrounds etc.
Filled
This term is related primarily to travertine. Travertine is characterised by surface pits and holes, these can be pre-filled at source by a stone resin which is as similar as possible to the colour of the stone. Not every single pit/hole may be completely filled, and therefore even a pre-filled stone may require some filling by grout during the fixing process.
Fissure
This is thin mineral veining which can be mistaken for a crack in the stone.
Flag
Generally a larger stone of a thicker depth for use externally or internally.
Fossils
Fossils are remnants of past animals or plants. Fossils can exist in many different types of mineral.
Free Lengths
A laying format for tiles, where the width of the stone is static i.e. 400mm or 600mm and the length of the tiles vary randomly. Offers a look which is reminiscent of traditional stone floors. Please see the Stone Layouts page
Honed
The stone is run through a machine to give a smooth surface to the face of the stone.
Minerals
One, two or more minerals combine to form rock. They are non-living solids that are found in nature. Quartz and calcite are commonly found in stone.
Nominal
A small variation from stated sizes and thicknesses.
Opus
Where the stone is laid in a repeated pattern which gives a random effect. There are various Opus patterns depending on the stone. Please note you cannot choose a stone to come in a particular Opus, a stone will come in an Opus specified by us, please see pricing tables throughout the site.
Pillowed
A form of antique stone, where the edges have a soft, but almost pronounced ‘pillowed’ edge.
Polished
Where the stone is worked to achieve a high reflective gloss to the surface of the tile.
Provence
A finish where each piece of stone is finished by hand. Some pieces will have a soft stippled surface, whereas others will have smooth undulations. These combine to recreate the effect of an original antique stone floor.
Riven
A naturally cleft or riven face simply achieved by splitting blocks of stone. This term usually relates to slate or sandstone, giving a fairly rustic feel.
Slab
A large piece of stone which can be fabricated into worktops, vanity tops, bath surrounds etc.
Tatami
A decorative linear border tile in the marble range.
Tumbled
A form of antique stone, where the stone has been ‘tumbled’ which gives a rounded edge to the tile and the surface may be slightly textured.
Uncalibrated
Where the thickness of the tile varies to a greater or lesser degree.
Unfilled
This term is primarily related to travertine. Travertine is characterised by surface pits and holes, and an unfilled finish leaves the travertine in its natural state. This then requires the surface of the stone to be filled with grout during the fixing process.
Veining
This is the term describing the natural, irregular mineral lines found in stone.
Vein cut
This term relates to travertine, where the stone is cut in such a way which shows the natural striations, giving a banded appearance to the stone.