A
ABSORPTION – The amount of water absorbed by a stone, expressed as weight percentage.
ADHESIVE FOR MARBLE – adhesive used for marble cladding.
ADHESIVE FOR STONE – adhesive for cladding natural stone surfaces. Complies with all environmental conditions for exterior installation.
AFTERCARE – maintenance procedure for natural stone surfaces. It involves surface treatments.
ALKALINE – with highly basic features of bases. Reacts by neutralization with acids.
ANISOTROPY – a material feature which allows it to change or assume different physical parameters in different directions of measurement. All stones are anisotropic, especially sedimentary rocks.
APRON – a trim element of a countertop.
ARTIFICIAL STONE – synthetic material with natural stone appearance.
B
BORDER – decorative element used for separating surfaces with different textures and colors or as an element of elaborate decorations.
BRUSHED FINISH – a finish obtained from the brushing process. (see BRUSHING)
BRUSHING – mechanical process of surface finishing natural stones by using a rotating brush.
BULLNOSE (FULL BULLNOSE) – type of convex rounding of a stone edge in a countertop. When the processing is done only half then it is called half bullnose. The relationship R = t/2 is associated with the processing area. If R=t (processing radius is equal to the thickness of your countertop) then the processing is called (demi-bullnose).
BUSH HAMMERING – a process which delivers textured surfaces with small pits achieved with hand or pneumatic hammer.
C
CALIBRATION – stone processing which happens after standard cutting, with the purpose of delivering a more precise thickness tolerance (+/- 1 mm), than would normally be achieved with standard cutting procedures.
CAP or CAPITAL – the top stone of a column or pilaster, usually very carved.
CAPILARITY – the property of fluids to rise or fall through narrow thin tubes or void of a porous material. It involves the phenomenon that occurs in porous stones upon absorbing moisture.
CATALYST – the substance which increases the rate of a chemical reaction.
CHAMFER – flat processing of countertop edge, achieved by either grinding or cutting, for eliminating the sharp edge where 2 surfaces meet. The final cut angle measure 45 degrees. If processing is done on both sides then it is called double chamfer.
CHISELED EDGE – the rustic look achieved by mechanically chipping the edge of the stone.
CLEANER – a natural stone cleaning solution.
CLEARANCE SALE – updating stocks by replacing some products with others. The prices of products included in clearance sale are discounted.
CLEAVAGE – the property of a rock to break along natural surfaces.
COBBLESTONE – stone with thickness larger than 5 cm, used mainly for paving. The faceted cobblestone has all sides smooth and cut at right angles. The natural cobblestone is produced by splitting and has irregular faces.
COLOUR ENHANCER – a solution used for refreshing and intensifying natural stone color. Protects against water and dust.
COMPOSITE – a material obtained by mixing some minerals, with different properties when compared to its components.
CONGLOMERATE – a coarse sedimentary rock with clast grains larger than 2 mm.
COROSIVE AGENT – very aggressive agent that attacks natural stone surface. The resulted stains are difficult to remove. Examples: food industry acids (vinegar, ketchup, red wine, lemon), specific cosmetics, acid detergents. It particularly reacts with marble and travertine surfaces.
COUNTERTOP (STANDARD SIZE) – countertop available with predefined dimensions, already processed (cut and finished) in the factory.
CRACK – a visible split or separation extending from the surface into the stone, going all the way into the grain or stone matrix.
CROSS CUT – the process of cutting the initial blocks or stone slabs, parallel to the natural bedding plane
CUFFLINK – stone tile, usually square or triangular shaped, of small size and installed inside horizontal and vertical tiles, with decorative purpose.
D
DECO BRICK – decorative material used for interior or exterior cladding, where is not necessary to apply plaster.
DECORATIVE STONE – natural stone used for garden landscaping.
DRAINER – ditch-shaped processing, located under a window sill, to prevent water from leaking to the surface below.
DRY STACK – a wall erected without mortar.
DUAL FINISH – two finishes that appear on the surface of the same tile.
DURABILITY – the ability of natural stone to endure and maintain its strength and look, under the influence of environmental conditions
E
EFFLORESCENCE – residue of white powder from water-carried salts on the surface of stone tiles/slabs.
EXFOLIATION – peeling by chemical or physical processes of a layer on the surface of the stone, provoked by physical weathering.
F
FELDSPAR – a group of crystalline minerals, namely aluminum silicates with potassium, sodium, calcium and barium. The most important element of virtually all crystalline rocks.
FINISH – surface process applied to the stone during fabrication by which the desired aesthetic and/or performance features are obtained.
FLAGSTONE SLABS – polygonal stone tiles used for paving.
FLAMED FINISH – a finish obtained by applying a flame of approximately 2000 degrees Celsius over the stone surface. The flame causes the surface layer to expand and flake off and thus the rough surface is revealed and ultimately tile variation in thickness is about 1-5 mm.
FRENCH PATTERN – a repeatable decorative pattern used for installing natural stone, which includes 4 sets of 2 tiles with different sizes. The set includes a total of 12 tiles.
G
GLOSSY FINISH (POLISH) – a finish obtained by polishing the stone surface until it reaches a degree of shine that allows a superior reflection of light.
GRANITE – magmatic rock consisting of feldspar, quartz and dark minerals (small), with superior hardness (6-7 out of 10 on the Mohs scale), used for interior and exterior decoration projects. It is recommended for medium and heavy traffic.
GROUT (FOR STONE) – usually a mixture of water, cement and sand employed for filling spaces or sealing the joints between tiles. Offers protection against variations of temperature.
GROUTING (WITH SANDED GROUT) – the procedure of filling the holes and void from natural stone surfaces. It is mainly used for travertine and is an essential element of the aftercare process. It can be also achieved by applying an epoxy filler.
H
HARDNESS – a word with double meaning. In terms of minerals it refers to mineral’s rank on Mohs scale of mineral hardness. In terms of stone it is defined as stone abrasion resistance (mainly abrasion generated by traffic).
HONED FINISH – a finish obtained by polishing the stone surface until it reaches a degree of shine that allows a low reflection of light (satin look).
J
JOINT – space left between installed stone units or tiles (or between a dimension stone and adjacent materials) to allow their relative movement (more often as a result of dilation/contraction properties) or to achieve a pleasant finish.
L
LAMINATION – 2 or more thickness of stone slabs joined together at an exposed edge and mainly used for decorative effects on countertops.
LIMESTONE – sedimentary rock consisting of limestone or dolomites and fragments of skeletons from marine organisms. It is used for interior and exterior decoration projects and also for large buildings. Hardness value of 3-4 on the Mohs scale.
M
MAGMATIC (OR IGNEOUS) ROCKS – rocks formed by cooling followed by solidification of magma.
MARBLE – metamorphic rock composed mainly of ironing, dolomite or serpentine, recommended for interior decoration projects. On the Mohs scale it has 3-4 value out of 10. Light colored marble is also translucent.
MAINTENANCE – scheduled activity of cleaning and rectifying minor imperfections. Usually it is aimed at removing dust and dirt that degrade the stone’s look.
METAMORPHIC ROCKS – rocks obtained by recrystallization of other rocks, subjected to the action of temperature and pressure.
MORTAR – building material consisting of sand, water and cement (lime, plaster). It is used as a single component bonding material or in combination with additives.
MOSAIC – a decorative installation achieved by assembling small units of different colored stones or glass to create the pattern. Usually pre-assembled on a meshed back-sheet.
N
NATURAL STONE – generic name for granite, marble, travertine, limestone, sandstone, slate, etc., used to specify that these rocks appeared naturally and are not man-made.
P
PANEL – a term used to describe a single unit of stone veneer or pre-assembled panel with multiple stone units.
PATINA – a modification of color or texture in natural stone surfaces, produced by aging or exposure to different agents.
PAVING – an area cladded with stone tiles and used for pedestrian or road traffic. The stone tiles are installed over a mortar or sand bed. There is also the term "pavement".
PLINTH – stone tile positioned at the bottom of the walls with the purpose of moisture protection and also for covering the gap between floor and the wall.
POLISHING – a process aimed at smoothing and polishing the stone surface.
POROSITY – channel systems deep within stone surface that allows the movement of a liquid or gas. It is defined as the ratio between the volume of pores and that of the porous environment.
R
RIVEN (RAW) FINISH – finish resulting from the stone cutting process. The stone has a primary, raw appearance.
REINFORCEMENT – any element embedded or applied to the stone panel for increasing strength.
RECTIFICATION – process of correction by cutting or smoothing the dimensions of ceramic and porcelain tiles after baking, so that they all have the same length and width. It also applies to natural stone tiles that have not been cut to the same size.
S
SANDBLASTING – process of cleaning or finishing the surface of natural stone using small grain abrasive particles (sand). Chemical sandblasting is obtained with highly corrosive materials.
SANDSTONE – sedimentary rock shaped by cementing the sand and composed usually of sand and feldspar. It is recommended for interior and exterior decoration project and has a 6-7 hardness on the Mohs scale.
SEALER – a protective coating for natural stone that penetrates the stone by closing the surface pores and offers protection against dust, water and other agents.
SEALING – treatment applied to stone surfaces to protect against water, dust and stains.
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS – rocks formed above-ground or in underwater sedimentation basins, when subjected to external physical and chemical processes.
SLAB – stone tile of variable size obtained by cutting large stone blocks.
SLATE – metamorphic rock consisting of clay and sand. It features a value of 6-7 on the Mohs scale of hardness and excellent parallel cleavage (independent of original bedding, slate may be split into very thin slabs with ease). It is used for exterior and interior decoration projects. There are also available versions of flexible slate.
SPLITFACE FINISH – finish obtained by splitting the stone naturally (applies mainly for slate and sandstone).
STAIN – the result of different agents acting on natural stone. For different types of stains there are different solutions for removal.
STONE POLISH – abrasive stone used to finish the corners of another stone or the edges of a tile.
STRIPPING – removal of an existing substance on the surface that prevents the stone from "breathing". e.g. wax, stone sealing solutions.
T
TERRAZZO – composite material consisting of marble or granite chips in a mass of cement and resins. After curing, it is ground and polished smoothed.
TEXTURE – the appearance of a stone surface, regardless of color.
TILE – a stone piece of minimum 2 cm thickness and maximum 60 cm length. The premium quality tiles are calibrated and beveled.
TOLERANCE – the permissible deviation from specified dimension.
TRANSLUCENCE – the feature of light color onyx, marble or flexible slate to allow light to diffuse.
TRAVERTINE – sedimentary rock formed by chemical precipitate from hot spring. It is recommended for interior and exterior decoration projects and its hardness is 3-4 on the Mohs scale.
TUMBLED FINISH – a mechanical or chemical process by which the stone surface is weathered (creating an aging finish) by tumbling it with sand, pebbles or steel bearings.
V
VEIN – a layer or narrow irregular body of mineral material which creates a contrast with the surrounding material by color or texture.
VEIN CUT - process of cutting blocks perpendicular to the natural bedding plane, thus exposing the veining of the material.
W
WAX – the substance used for treatment of natural stone surfaces.
