Onyx: a translucent, generally layered, cryptocrystalline calcite with colors in pastel shades, particularly yellow, tan, and green. The typical finishes for onyx are:

• Polished (glossy surface, which brings out the full color and character of the stone; it is not generally recommended for exterior use, or commercial floors)
• Honed (satin smooth surface with little or no gloss)
• Abrasive (a non-reflective surface, usually recommended for exterior use)
  

Slate: a very fine-grained metamorphic rock derived from sedimentary shale rock. Characterized by an excellent parallel cleavage and entirely independent of original bedding. Slate may be split easily into relatively thin slabs.

• Polished (glossy surface, which brings out the full color and character of the stone)
• Honed (satin smooth surface with little or no gloss)
• Abrasive (a non-reflective surface, usually recommended for exterior use)
  

Shellstone: a sedimentary stone sharing characteristics of limestone, with fossils and shells embedded in its body. Shellstone is a relatively soft, porous stone that retains less heat than denser stones.

• Polished (glossy surface, which brings out the full color and character of the stone)
• Honed (satin smooth surface with little or no gloss)
• Abrasive (a non-reflective surface, usually recommended for exterior use)
  

Other Finishes:

• Sand Blasted: matte textured surface finish with no gloss; finished by application of a steady flow of sand and water pressure.
• Bush-Hammered: a mechanical process which produces textured surface; textures vary from subtle to rough.
  

Definition Sources: Webster Dictionary and The Marble Institute of America Design Manual.

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