Antique: Paris Ceramics reclaims floor surfaces from existing structures; these floors are at least 100 years old, but can be hundreds of years in age.

Antiqued Finish: A treatment of texturing and polishing that is done on the surface of a new stone to give an aged appearance.

Brushed Finish: A coarse wire rotary brush is used on the stone surface resulting in a weathered appearance.

Border: A decorative strip of stone or tile set within a field of tiles to create interest.

Bullnose: The rounding of an exposed edge of stone.

Bushmill: A texture added to the surface of the stone by a mechanical process. This can add a subtle or dramatic texture.

Cabochon: A decorative or contrasting tile use where four field tiles meet to add interest or formality.

Checkerboard: The use of alternating colors of stone tiles to create a checkerboard effect.

Cladding: Stone used to face a wall surface.

Cleft Finish: A rough surface due to the process of splitting the stone along its natural plane.

Flagstone: Large pieces of stone in various sizes used for interior and exterior surfaces.

Flamed Finish (Flamme): Exposing the surface of the stone to extreme heat of flame to create a rough surface. Stones with high quartz concentrations are usually used to achieve the flamed finish.

Granite: A course-grained, hard igneous rock that is comprised mostly of quartz and thoclase and mica.

Grout: A material, as mortar, used to fill the spaces in masonry or the spaces between tiles.

Herringbone Pattern: Setting rectangular tiles slanted to create a zigzag pattern.

Honed Finish: A smooth satin finish with a matte/sheen appearance.

Limestone: A stone formed of sedimentary rock that is composed mainly of calcium deposits of shells.

Marble: A limestone that has the ability of receiving a high polish.

Mortar: A material used to set stone tile, cement like.

Parquet: Inlaid pieces of stone fitted together to make a pattern.

Patina: The natural aging of the stone surface through oxidation and other exposures that enhance the color and texture of the surface.

Polished Finish: A high gloss, shiny finish.

Quarry: The physical location where raw blocks of materials are removed from the earth.

Quartzite: Stone composed of mineral quartz and sandstone.

Sandblasted: A high-pressure blast of sand is used to achieve a rough surface texture.

Sandstone: A sedimentary rock formed of grains of quarts cemented together by lime or silica.

Sedimentary: The materials that settle to the bottom of a liquid (sea beds). After millions of years of pressure, stone is formed.

Slab: A linear piece of stone cut from the quarried block often used for stair treads, counter tops and wall cladding.

Tesserae: Small pieces of stone use to make a mosaic.

Terracotta: Clay used for flooring, roofing tile and decorative tiles.

Travertine: Rock formed from Limestone near a hot bubbling spring or gases that pass through the forming rock resulting in its pitted surface.

Tumbled: A finish achieved from the “tumbling” of the stone to create an aged appearance by softening the edges.

Undulate: A wavy or uneven surface.