A Natural Stone Glossary: Terms Every Buyer Should Know

This natural stone glossary is written for homeowners, architects and contractors who want to talk confidently with suppliers and fabricators. Stone has its own language, and a misunderstood word can mean the wrong finish, the wrong thickness or a mismatched wall. Here are the terms you are most likely to meet, grouped by stage.

Stone types and geology

• Marble: a metamorphic rock formed from limestone or dolostone under heat and pressure, made mainly of calcite or dolomite crystals.
• Calcitic marble: marble made mostly of calcite.
• Dolomitic marble: marble made mostly of dolomite, generally a little harder and less reactive to acid than calcitic marble.
• Granite: an igneous rock, harder than marble and generally more resistant to acids.
• Limestone: a sedimentary rock of calcium carbonate, typically softer and more porous than marble.
• Veining: lines of different minerals running through the stone.
• Porosity: how much open space the stone contains, which affects absorption.

From quarry to slab

• Quarry: the site where stone is extracted.
• Block: a large, roughly rectangular piece cut from the quarry face. See our marble blocks page.
• Gangsaw: a machine with multiple blades that cuts a block into slabs.
• Slab: a large sheet sawn from a block, typically 2 cm or 3 cm thick. See marble slabs.
• Sequence or slab number: the order in which slabs were cut from a block.
• Bundle: a set of consecutive slabs sold or shipped together.
• Resin and mesh: filling of natural pits and a fibreglass backing used to strengthen some slabs.
• Cut-to-size: stone cut to exact project dimensions before delivery.

Finishes in the natural stone glossary

• Polished: high-gloss, reflective surface.
• Honed: smooth, matte or satin surface without gloss.
• Brushed: softly textured surface created with abrasive brushes.
• Flamed: rough surface produced by intense heat, mainly used on granite.
• Sandblasted and bush-hammered: textured surfaces for grip or a rustic look.
• Edge profiles: shapes such as eased, bevelled, bullnose and ogee.

Design and fabrication terms

• Book-matching: placing consecutive slabs side by side like the pages of an open book, so veins mirror each other.
• Slip-matching: placing consecutive slabs in sequence without flipping, so the pattern repeats.
• Vein-cut and cross-cut: cutting a block parallel or perpendicular to its bedding, giving linear or cloudy patterns.
• Templating: making exact patterns of counters or walls before cutting.
• Mitred edge: two pieces cut at an angle and joined to look like a thicker block.
• Carving and mouldings: shaped profiles such as cornices and trims; see marble carving.

Installation and care terms

• Lippage: height difference between adjacent tiles or slabs.
• Substrate: the surface stone is fixed to.
• Mechanical fixing: anchors and brackets that hold cladding panels, common on exterior facades.
• Sealer: a product that reduces absorption to help prevent stains.
• Etching: dulling caused by acids reacting with calcium-based stone.
• Poultice: an absorbent paste used to draw stains out.
• Patina: the soft character stone develops with age and use.

Logistics terms for imported stone

• Crate: a timber frame that holds slabs upright for shipping.
• Packing list: the document listing crates, slab counts, sizes and areas.
• Bill of lading: the shipping document issued by the carrier for sea freight.
• Container: standard steel box used for sea freight; stone is heavy, so weight limits often matter more than volume.
• Customs clearance: the process of declaring and releasing goods at the port. Rules change, so check current requirements or speak to a licensed clearing agent.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a slab and a tile?

A slab is a large sheet cut directly from a block, while tiles are smaller, standard-sized pieces cut from slabs.

What does book-matched mean?

Two or more consecutive slabs are opened like a book so their veining mirrors across the joint.

Is dolomitic marble better than calcitic marble?

Neither is simply better. Dolomitic marble is usually a little harder and less acid-reactive, which some buyers prefer for busy areas.

Key topics: natural stone glossary · stone terms · marble buying · slab terminology · stone finishes · fabrication