The finish of a stone contributes a great deal to its beauty, its durability, and its use in a variety of applications. To help you select the stone finish that is right for your application, please see below information on different stone finishes:

• Polished: Large machines progressively grind the stone to a specular, mirror-like finish.
• Honed: This less formal, softer-appearing stone has a matte or satin finish.
• Flamed: Blowtorch-strength heat is applied to the surface to create a deeply textured surface; ideal for outside use.
• Antiqued: This stone is tumbled with sand, pebbles, or steel bearings to create a weathered, aged finish.
• Filled: When travertine is used for tiles and slabs, it is usually "filled”; that is, the surface holes are filled with cement or sometimes epoxy, and then polished or honed like any other stone tiles or slabs.

All stone is not alike. All stone suppliers are not alike.