H

Hand/Machine Pitch-Faced Ashlar A rustic finish for veneer stone created by chiseling the stone face with a hammer.

Heat Cement  A thick, creamy mixture made of pure cement and water that is used to strengthen a bond between stone and setting bed.

Hone Finish   A satin-smooth finish with little or no gloss.

I

Igneous   Any of the various volcanic rocks, solidified after the molten state, such as granite.

ILI    Indiana Limestone Institute, an organization for the dissemination of information on limestone standards, practices, grades, colors, finishes and technical data.

Impregnation  Applying a chemical containing stain inhibitors that penetrates below the surface of the stone.

J

Joint    A space between installed stone units or between a dimension stone and the adjoining material.

Jointing Scheme  Architectural drawing detailing dimensions, location and configuration of stone units and joints related to structure.

K

Kerf    A slot cut into the edge of a stone with a saw blade for insertion of anchors.

Keystone   The central stone of an arch, sometimes sculpted or otherwise embellished.

L

Lamination   The gluing of two pieces of stone together to produce an edge that can be shaped to create countertops.

Limestone   A sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcite or dolomite.  Varieties used as dimension stone are usually well consolidated and exhibit a minimum of graining or bedding direction.

Liners   Structurally sound sections of stone cemented and doweled to the back of thin stone unites to give strength.

Lintel    a horizontal beam or stone over the opening of a door or window that carries the weight of the wall above it.

Lippage    A condition where one edge of a stone is higher than adjacent edges, giving the finished surface an uneven appearance.

M

Marble   A metamorphic crystalline rock composed predominantly of crystalline grains of calcite, dolomite, or serpentine and capable of taking a polish. 

Marble(Commercial Definition) A crystalline rock, capable of taking a polish and composed of one or more of the minerals calcite, dodlmite and serpentine.

Metamorphic Rock Rock altered in appearance, density, crystalline structure and mineral composition, by high temperature or intense pressure.  Includes slate derived from shale, quartz-based stone from quartzitic sand and true marble from limestone.

MIA    Marble Institute Of America is a international trade association whose membership is composed of producers, fabricators, contractors, exporters, importers, distributors, and those who sell products and services to the dimension stone industry and building owners. 

Miter    The junction of two units at an angle.

Moldings   Decorative stone deviating from a plane surface by projections, curved profiles, recesses or any combination thereof.

Mosaic   A veneering that is generally irregular, with no definite pattern. 

N

NBGQA   National Building Granite Quarries Association is a trade association composed of granite producers in the U.S.

NTCA    National Tile Contractors Association is a trade association of contractors in the U.S. who supply products and services to the industry.  

Natural Stone  A product of nature.  Granite, marble, limestone, slate, travertine or sandstone that is formed by nature.

Notch    A V-shaped cut made on the edge of a stone.