Stonepedia

Stone Finishes Glossary: Polished, Honed, Leathered & More

Editorial overview of natural stone finishes showing polished, honed, leathered, flamed, bush-hammered, and sandblasted stone surfaces.

The Complete Guide to Stone Finishes

Introduction: “The character of a stone is defined not just by its geological origin, but by how it is finished. The same block of marble can look like a mirror in one finish and a weathered rock in another. Processing changes the color saturation, the tactile feel, and the slip resistance. Here is the definitive Stone Moods glossary of surface finishes.”

Polished stone finish showcasing a high-gloss natural stone surface with enhanced color depth and mirror-like reflection.

Polished

  • The Look: High-gloss, mirror-like reflection. The colors and veins appear at their most vibrant and saturated.

  • The Feel: Perfectly smooth and glass-like.

  • Best Application: Indoor wall cladding, low-traffic floors, countertops (if you don’t mind etching).

  • Pros/Cons: It is the least porous finish (pores are closed), but it highlights scratches and etching more than any other finish. It is slippery when wet.

Honed

  • The Look: Satin, matte, non-reflective. The colors are softer and more muted (lighter) compared to polished stone.

  • The Feel: Smooth like velvet, but without the gloss.

  • Best Application: High-traffic floors, busy kitchens, bathrooms.

  • Pros/Cons: It hides scratches and etching much better than polished surfaces. It offers better slip resistance but can be more porous, requiring good sealing.

Leathered stone finish showing a textured satin natural stone surface with subtle relief and reduced reflectivity.

Leathered

  • The Look: Textured and undulating. It mimics the feel of worn leather. The soft parts of the stone are brushed away, leaving the harder veins slightly raised.

  • The Feel: Tactile, warm, and soft to the touch. It has ‘movement’ under your fingertips.

  • Best Application: Kitchen islands (hides fingerprints and crumbs), fireplace surrounds, feature walls.

  • Pros/Cons: Incredible at hiding water spots and fingerprints. It adds a sensory dimension to the design.

Flamed

  • The Process: An intense flame is applied to the stone surface, causing the crystals to pop and explode due to thermal shock.

  • The Look: Rough, faded, and highly textured. The color usually becomes significantly lighter.

  • Best Application: Outdoor paving, pool decks, wet areas requiring maximum grip.

  • Pros/Cons: Extremely non-slip. However, the surface is very rough and open-pored, making it hard to clean if used indoors. Mostly applied to Granites (Marble can shatter).

Flamed stone finish displaying a rough natural stone surface created by thermal treatment for enhanced slip resistance.
Bush-hammered stone finish showing a heavily textured natural stone surface with uniform impact marks for high slip resistance.

Bush-Hammered

  • The Process: A specialized hammer with multiple points hits the stone repeatedly, creating small craters.

  • The Look: Pitted, industrial, and weathered. It looks like ancient stone found in ruins.

  • Best Application: Exterior facades, non-slip strips on stairs, rustic interior walls.

  • Pros/Cons: Provides excellent slip resistance and a uniform, weathered aesthetic. It lightens the stone’s color dramatically.

Sandblasted

  • The Process: High-pressure sand or grit is blasted onto the stone.

  • The Look: A fine, granular texture. It looks slightly ‘frosted’ or sugary.

  • Best Application: Shower floors, minimalist facades where a uniform, non-reflective look is desired.

  • Pros/Cons: Subtle texture that offers grip without being too aggressive on bare feet.

Sandblasted stone finish showing a fine textured matte natural stone surface with evenly diffused light and improved slip resistance.

Curator’s Tip: “When choosing a finish, always ask for a sample. A ‘Leathered’ finish on a hard Granite feels very different from a ‘Leathered’ finish on a soft Limestone. Touch is the final test.”

Stone Finishes– Comparison Table

Finish Surface Appearance Reflectivity Texture / Feel Slip Resistance Color Effect Typical Applications
Polished High-gloss, mirror-like Very High Smooth, slick Low Maximizes color & veining Countertops, interior walls, decorative surfaces
Honed Matte, smooth Low Smooth, soft Medium Softens color tones Floors, walls, bathrooms, minimalist interiors
Leathered Satin, subtly textured Low–Medium Tactile, soft relief Medium–High Enhances depth, mutes shine Countertops, floors, architectural interiors
Flamed Rough, fractured Very Low Aggressive, coarse Very High Lightens surface slightly Exterior paving, terraces, outdoor stairs
Bush-Hammered Heavily textured, rugged Very Low Deeply rough Very High Strongly diffused Facades, public spaces, urban architecture
Sandblasted Fine textured, matte Very Low Controlled micro-texture Medium–High Even, muted Floors, walls, facades, contemporary architecture

Stone finishes are not decorative choices.
They are architectural decisions that affect light, safety, aging, and material expression.