Polished stone has a shiny, mirror-like surface. Marble, granite, limestone and travertine tiles and slabs are polished on large polishing machines which progressively grind the stone to a specular (mirror-like) finish. This is a process analogous to finishing wood, in which finer and finer sandpaper is used to smooth the surface.

 

Honed stone has a matte or satin finish for a softer, more subdued look. This is achieved at the factory by stopping just short of the last stage of polishing. Some fabricators have special equipment and can hone marble in their shops by removing the factory polish. One feature of honed marble is that it doesn’t show etching as readily, or wear patterns on floors.

Flamed stone is produced by applying blowtorch-strength heat to the surface of granite, which actually pops some of the crystals and creates a deeply textured surface. Flamed granite is ideal for use outside and can also be used for dramatic effect as an accent material in a polished granite floor. In addition to its rough beauty, flamed granite has a highly textured surface, which gives it a very non-slip surface.

Antiqued stone is (usually) a marble tile that has been "tumbled" with sand, pebbles or steel bearings in order to create a weathered, aged finish. This rustic look is very popular for casual settings or as a contrast to polished stone, for example, on a backsplash in a kitchen. Because of the nature of the process, antiqued stone should definitely be sealed, as the surface is very vulnerable to staining and absorption of liquids.