Natural stone is available in many different finishes.  The six most popular finishes are described and pictured below.  Although most stone types can be ordered with any of these finishes, different stone types and applications are more suitable for certain finishes.

The stone experts at ISC Surfaces can assist you in selecting the best finish for the look, stone type, and use you have in mind.

Flamed A highly textured finish that is created when crystals are exposed to intense heat, which causes them to pop.  Flamed finishes are most often found on granite.
Honed A smooth matte finish which closely resembles the stone in its natural state.  Limestone and travertine are very popular honed materials.
Polished A glossy finish giving the stone a smooth, reflective surface.
Sandblasted A matte-textured finish with no gloss that is not quite as pronounced as flamed.  The finish is achieved by a steady pressure wash of sand and water on the stone surface.
Suede A textured surface that has been softened by brushing to create a smoother matte finish.  Suede is sometimes called an "aged" or "ancient" finish.
Tumbled A process that slightly rounds the edges and softens the color.  It involves tumbling the stone in water, river rock and sand to make it look very old and weathered.

All finish photos are Dakota Mahogany Granite except the Tumbled which is Angelica Travertine.