Natural Stone Terms Explained for First-Time Importers
Your first stone import can feel like learning a new language. Suppliers may talk about gangsaws, vein cut material, resin lines and FOB prices as if everyone knows what they mean. This plain-English glossary explains the terms you are most likely to meet.
Words can vary between countries and companies. If a term affects price, quality or responsibility, ask your supplier what they mean by it and get the answer in writing.
From quarry to slab
Quarry: the place where stone is extracted from the ground.
Block: a large piece of stone taken from the quarry and later cut into slabs or other products.
Gangsaw: a machine with multiple blades that cuts a block into many slabs at once. In Turkey, you may hear it called a katrak.
Slab: a large, relatively thin sheet of stone cut from a block. Slabs are later cut into tops, panels, tiles and other pieces.
Bundle: a group of slabs kept and sold together, often from the same block.
Lot: a batch of material from a production run or source. Companies may use the word differently, so ask what it covers. Color and size can vary between lots.
Tile: a smaller, usually standard-sized piece of stone.
Cut-to-size: stone cut to dimensions set for a specific project. Our comparison of full slabs and cut-to-size explains when each makes sense.
Surface finishes
Polished: a glossy, reflective surface that often deepens color and sharpens veining.
Honed: smooth and matte or low-sheen, created by stopping before a high polish.
Brushed: a lightly textured surface created with abrasive brushes.
Leather or leathered: a soft texture with a low sheen that you can often feel with your hand.
Raw or sawn: a surface with little further finishing after cutting. The exact meaning varies, so ask to see it.
Read our guide to choosing a stone finish for more detail.
Cuts and patterns
Vein: a line or band of color in the stone, caused by its mineral makeup and geological history.
Vein cut: a cut usually made across the natural layers, often showing a linear, striped pattern. It is especially common language for travertine.
Cross cut: a cut usually made along the natural layers, often giving a softer, cloudier appearance.
Bookmatch: arranging neighboring slabs or pieces so that their pattern mirrors across a joint. See our guide on how to order bookmatched marble.
Blending: arranging pieces so that their color and pattern look balanced across an area.
Repairs, quality and strength
Fissure: a natural line in the stone, which may be tight and stable.
Crack: a break in the stone. Whether a line is a fissure or a crack can require expert judgment.
Resin: a material used to fill small voids and help stabilize a slab.
Mesh: usually a fiberglass net bonded to the back of a fragile slab for added support.
Filled and unfilled: filled stone has its natural holes closed with a material such as resin or cement-based filler. Unfilled stone leaves them open.
Etching: a dull mark caused by acid reacting with stones such as marble. It is different from a stain, which is a discoloration.
Sealer: a product that helps slow the absorption of liquids. It does not generally stop acid etching.
Calibrated: a word that can have different meanings, but it usually refers to size or thickness made more consistent. Some people use it for a specific cutting method. Always ask what it means in your quote.
Tolerance: the allowed difference from a stated size or thickness.
Our guide to marble slab defects and repairs covers many of these in detail.
Packing and logistics
A-frame: a support shaped like the letter A, used to hold slabs upright during transport or storage.
Packing list: a document describing what is being shipped, such as bundles, quantities and weights.
ISPM 15: an international standard for treating wood packaging used in trade. Ask your freight forwarder what applies to your destination.
Freight forwarder: a company that organizes the movement of goods and related paperwork.
Customs broker: a specialist who helps clear goods through customs. Their role varies by country.
Landed cost: the full cost of getting goods to your location, including freight, duties and handling.
Trade and customs terms
Incoterms: standard trade rules that define who handles certain costs, risks and tasks in a sale.
EXW: Ex Works. The buyer collects the goods at the seller’s premises.
FOB: Free On Board. The seller delivers the goods on board the vessel at the named port of shipment.
CIF: Cost, Insurance and Freight. The seller arranges sea freight and basic insurance to the named port, while risk passes once the goods are on board.
HS code: a product classification used by customs. Your broker should confirm the correct code for your goods and country.
Letter of credit: a bank-based payment method tied to agreed documents and conditions.
Certificate of origin: a document stating where goods were produced. Ask your broker whether you need one.
Terms worth clarifying in every order
- What exactly does the stone name refer to?
- What does “first quality” mean to this supplier?
- How is the area measured?
- What does the delivery term include, and what is the named place?
- Are resin, mesh or repairs included in the description?
Frequently asked questions
Why do suppliers use different names for the same stone?
Stone names are often commercial rather than regulated. Compare the real material, not only the name.
Do I need to know all these terms before ordering?
No, but understanding the basics helps you ask better questions and spot unclear offers.
Where should a first-time importer start?
Start with our guide on how to buy marble slabs from Turkey, then talk to a freight forwarder and customs broker in your country.
Have a question about a term?
If something in a listing or quote is unclear, just ask. You can browse our current stock, then contact our team with your question, the bundle codes you like, your quantity and your destination. We will reply with a price and shipping offer.