01 Reference
Natural stone
glossary.
A reference for architects, designers and distributors working with Turkish marble, travertine, onyx and limestone. Defines the cuts, finishes, materials, forms and techniques used in architectural stone specification.
Cut
- Vein cut
- Cutting travertine or certain stones along the bedding plane to expose geological layers as linear bands. Creates directional, architectural rhythm and is especially effective for visually lengthening walls or creating horizontal continuity across floors.
- Cross cut
- Cutting travertine or certain stones across the bedding plane to produce softer, cloud-like, less directional movement. The result feels more organic and dispersed, making it easier to use across large areas without a dominant stripe pattern.
Finish
- Polished
- A high-gloss finish that intensifies colours, veins and reflection. Best for interior vertical surfaces and low-wear horizontal applications where visual impact and light reflection are desired.
- Honed
- A matte, smooth finish that feels softer and more architectural than polished. Reduces reflection while retaining colour, making it suitable for floors, walls and contemporary interiors where a calmer surface is preferred.
- Leathered
- A textured finish that adds tactility while maintaining some sheen. Hides fingerprints and water spots better than polished surfaces, making it a practical choice for kitchen countertops and high-touch areas.
- Tumbled
- A weathered, rounded finish achieved by tumbling stone pieces with abrasives. Common for travertine pavers, exterior applications and Mediterranean-style projects where an aged, natural appearance is desired.
- Brushed
- A mechanically textured finish that creates a subtle, tactile surface by brushing the stone with abrasive bristles. Often used for exterior and wet-area applications where slip resistance and a natural feel are important.
Material
- Travertine
- A form of limestone created through the precipitation of calcium carbonate, commonly associated with mineral-rich water systems. Characterised by sedimentary layers, tonal movement and natural voids that give it a warm, tactile and architectural quality.
- Marble
- Limestone transformed through heat and pressure, characterised by veining, crystalline structure and a wide range of colours from white to deep burgundy, green and black. Marble is selected for visual focal points, refined interiors and sculptural applications.
- Onyx
- A translucent natural stone that allows light to travel through portions of the material, enabling backlit installations. Onyx is used for feature walls, bars, spa interiors and luxury focal points where the material becomes both surface and light source.
- Limestone
- A sedimentary stone composed mainly of calcium carbonate, often with fossil traces and a warm, matte character. Limestone is specified for facades, flooring, wall cladding and exterior architectural projects seeking Mediterranean warmth and understated luxury.
Form
- Slab
- A large, flat piece of natural stone cut from a block, used for countertops, walls, feature panels and large-format surfaces. Slabs allow designers to read the full vein pattern and composition of the stone before cutting.
- Tile
- Smaller, modular stone pieces cut from slabs or blocks, used for flooring, wall cladding and standardised installations. Tiles offer flexibility in layout and are practical for smaller projects or areas with complex geometry.
- Paver
- Thicker stone pieces designed for exterior flooring, terraces, pathways and pool surrounds. Pavers are typically finished with tumbled or brushed surfaces for slip resistance and weather performance.
- Cut-to-size
- Stone cut to specific project dimensions rather than supplied as standard slabs or tiles. Cut-to-size production allows precise coordination with architectural drawings, joinery and installation systems.
Technique
- Bookmatch
- Consecutive slabs arranged so adjoining faces mirror one another, creating a symmetrical composition similar to opening a book. Particularly effective with expressive marble and onyx where vein direction and movement can be mirrored across feature walls, islands and large architectural surfaces.
- Vein matching
- The broader process of aligning directional movement between stone pieces so the pattern continues through the installation. Unlike bookmatching, vein matching does not require mirrored symmetry — it focuses on visual continuity.
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