Natural Stone Basics: Classification, Naming, Materials & Applications

Natural stone is widely used in architecture and interior design, but many buyers, designers, and project managers still have questions about stone categories, naming rules, material differences, and applications.

This guide answers the most common questions about natural decorative stone, helping you better understand stone materials from a professional and project-oriented perspective.

1. How Is Natural Stone Classified?
According to international material standards, natural decorative stone is commonly divided into six main categories:
Granite
Marble
Limestone
Quartzite
Slate
Other natural stones
Each category differs in mineral composition, hardness, durability, and suitable applications, which directly affects project design and material selection.

2. How Are Natural Stone Varieties Named?
Natural stone is usually named based on a combination of:
Color and background tone
Vein pattern and texture
Quarry location or origin
Stone names often reflect the stone’s natural appearance and decorative character, making them intuitive and memorable. Some names emphasize artistic expression, while others highlight geographic origin.
However, stone names do not always strictly match the quarry location. While many stones are named after their origin, some commercial names are historical or market-driven.

3. Main Mineral Composition of Natural Stone
Natural stone is quarried from the earth and composed of different minerals formed through geological processes.
Granite is mainly composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica.
Marble is a metamorphic rock primarily made of calcium carbonate.
Limestone consists mainly of calcite and reacts with weak acids.
Quartzite is formed from quartz-rich sandstone under high pressure and temperature.
These mineral differences determine stone strength, water absorption, surface finish, and long-term performance.

4. What Is a Stone Block?
A stone block refers to raw or semi-processed stone extracted from the quarry with defined dimensions, used for cutting slabs and tiles.
Block quality directly affects slab yield, consistency, and final project results.

5. Granite: Characteristics and Applications
Granite is known for its hardness and durability.
Granite Key Features:
High strength and wear resistance
Low water absorption
Strong resistance to weathering and acid rain
Stable color and pattern

Granite Common Uses:
Exterior wall cladding
Flooring and paving
Structural elements
Infrastructure and heavy-duty applications
Granite is especially suitable for outdoor and high-traffic areas.

6. Marble: Composition and Characteristics
Marble is primarily composed of calcium carbonate minerals.
Marble Key Features:
Softer texture compared to granite
Rich and artistic veining
Easier to cut and fabricate
Higher water absorption
Marble is widely used for interior flooring, walls, countertops, and decorative applications where aesthetics are prioritized.

7. What Is a Water-Jet (Bush-Hammered) Finish?
A water-jet or washed finish is created by using high-pressure water to remove softer surface particles, forming a naturally textured and uneven surface.
Sometimes abrasives are added to enhance texture depth. This finish is commonly used for slip-resistant flooring and outdoor areas.

8. Natural Stone vs Artificial Stone
Natural Stone:Unique natural patterns,No artificial molds or repetitive textures,Environmentally friendly with minimal processing
Artificial Stone:Made from resin, cement, or fillers,More uniform appearance,Often shows mold marks or air bubbles
Quartz stone sold in the market is typically artificial, while quartzite is a natural stone.

9. Stone Classification by Color
From a design point of view, natural stone is often categorized by color tone, such as:
White series
Beige series
Yellow series
Grey series
Black series
Green, Blue, Red, and special color stones
This classification helps architects and designers quickly match materials with design concepts.

10. Which Stone Is Suitable for Outdoor Use?
Granite is generally preferred for exterior applications due to its:
Low water absorption
High weather resistance
Strong durability under sunlight and rain
Marble and limestone are more commonly used indoors.

11. Why Natural Stone Is Still Widely Used
Compared with ceramic tiles and synthetic materials, natural stone offers:
Unique natural patterns
Long service life
Sustainable and low-carbon material sourcing
Strong visual and architectural value
Project-Oriented Stone Supply & Fabrication
Understanding stone materials is only the first step.

For stone projects, material consistency, correct classification, and proper processing play a critical role in project success.
At YUSHI STONE, we support project clients with:
Professional stone material guidance
Stable slab and block supply
Project-oriented fabrication and layout planning
Factory-controlled quality and delivery

📩 For stone selection support and project inquiries, feel free to contact our team.