146 natural stone terms

statement

--"This article is excerpted from regulations issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People's Republic of China and the Standardization Administration of China on June 30, 2008, and implemented on April 1, 2009. The content is sourced from publicly available information."

(This article includes 146 common stone terms in 7 chapters. The article is relatively long, and you can quickly find them by pressing Ctrl+F)

 

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1 Scope

This standard specifies definitions for natural stone in general, geological, product, performance, and defect terms, as well as mining and processing and installation terms.

 

2 General Terms

2.1 Rock

Refers to naturally occurring aggregates with a defined structure composed primarily of rock-forming minerals, natural glass, colloids, or biological remains.

 

2.2 Stone

Materials processed from natural rock as the primary raw material and used for construction, decoration, monuments, handicrafts, or pavement, including both natural and artificial stone.

 

2.3 Natural Stone

Natural rock selected and processed into specific sizes or shapes is primarily categorized by material type, such as marble, granite, limestone, sandstone, and slate. Based on its intended use, it is primarily classified as natural building stone and natural decorative stone.

Note: Natural stone still falls under the category of natural stone if cement or synthetic resin is used to seal natural voids and cracks during processing without altering the internal structure of the stone.

 

2.4 Marble

Commercially refers to a class of stone represented by marble, including crystalline carbonate rocks and other softer metamorphic rocks.

 

2.5 Granite

Commercially refers to a class of stone represented by granite, including igneous rocks and various silicate metamorphic rocks.

 

2.6 Limestone

Commercially refers to travertine-like stones formed primarily by chemical deposition of calcite, dolomite, or a mixture of calcite and dolomite.

 

2.7 Sandstone

Commercially refers to mechanically deposited rocks composed primarily of quartz and feldspar, with rock fragments and other accessory minerals.

 

2.8 Slate

Commercially refers to a class of metamorphic rocks that easily break into thin flakes along cleavage planes produced by flow foliation.

 

2.9 Natural Building Stone

Natural stone used primarily for building functional and structural purposes.

 

2.10 Natural Decorative Stone

Natural stone used primarily for decorative purposes.

 

2.11 Natural Facing Stone

Surface decorative materials processed from natural stone are considered a subtype of natural decorative stone.

 

2.12

Natural Facing Slabs

Slabs processed from natural stone are used for interior and exterior building walls, floors, columns, countertops, and other applications. They are considered a subtype of natural facing stone.

 

2.13 Variety

Classification of stone based on characteristics such as color and pattern, as well as origin.

 

2.14 Weathering

The physical properties and chemical composition of stone change under atmospheric conditions. Weathering is caused by factors such as solar radiation, water, gases, and organisms.

 

3 Geological Terms

3.1 Quartz

Silicon dioxide crystals.

 

3.2 Feldspar

A framework-structured aluminum silicate mineral containing potassium, sodium, and calcium.

 

3.3 Alkali Feldspar

A general term for feldspars rich in the alkali metals potassium and sodium.

 

3.4 Plagioclase

A general term for feldspars rich in sodium and calcium.

 

3.5 Mica

A layered aluminum silicate hydrate containing iron, magnesium, potassium, and other minerals. It exhibits extremely complete lamellar cleavage and can be peeled into elastic thin sheets along the cleavage.

 

3.6 Muscovite

Mica containing potassium.

 

3.7 Biotite

Mica containing iron and magnesium.

 

3.8 Amphibole

A chain-structured silicate mineral containing magnesium, iron, calcium, sodium, and aluminum and containing hydroxide (OH-).

 

3.9 Pyroxene

A silicate mineral with a chain structure composed of iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, aluminum, and lithium.

 

3.10 Calcite

A mineral composed of calcium carbonate.

3.11 Dolomite

A mineral composed of calcium and magnesium carbonate.

 

3.12 Olivine

A silicate mineral composed of magnesium and iron.

 

3.13 Serpentine

A hydrate of magnesium silicate.

 

3.14 Pyrite

An iron disulfide mineral.

 

3.15 Limonite

A mixture composed primarily of hydrated iron oxide.

 

3.16 Magnetite

A magnetic mineral composed of ferromagnetic iron oxide.

 

3.17 Phanerocrystalline texture

The structure of mineral crystal grains in igneous rocks that can be distinguished by the naked eye.

 

3.18 Croptocrystalline Texture

A rock structure in which the mineral grains are extremely fine, even indistinguishable under a polarizing microscope, but exhibit a photoreactivity that distinguishes it from glassy texture.

 

3.19 Glassy Texture

A rock structure composed entirely of natural glassy material, without any crystallized components.

 

3.20 Egnigranular Texture

A rock structure in which the main mineral grains are of roughly uniform size.

 

3.21 Porphyritic Texture

A rock structure in which the main mineral grains are of two distinct sizes (the larger ones are called phenocrysts, the smaller ones are called groundmass, and the groundmass is cryptocrystalline or glassy).

 

3.22 Oolitic Texture

A rock structure composed of spherical or ellipsoidal grains, resembling fish eggs.

 

3.23 Clastic Texture

A rock structure in which the mass fraction of debris is greater than 50%.

 

3.24 Biogenetic Texture

Structure in which the mass fraction of biological skeletons in a rock is greater than 30%.

 

3.25 Massive Structure

A uniform structure in which minerals are arranged in a rock without a specific order or orientation, and without any particular appearance.

 

3.26 Banded Structure

A structure in which bands of different structures and compositions are arranged in roughly parallel patterns.

 

3.27 Gneissic Structure

A structure in which flaky or columnar minerals are arranged in a directional pattern.

 

3.28 Magmatic Rock

Rocks formed by the consolidation of magma underground or after eruption; also known as igneous rocks.

 

3.29 Sedimentary Rock

Rocks formed by the consolidation of loose sediments deposited in layers.

 

3.30 Metamorphic Rock

Rocks formed by metamorphism of existing rocks.

 

3.31 Peridotite

An ultramafic igneous rock composed primarily of olivine and pyroxene.

 

3.32 Gabbro

A basic igneous rock composed primarily of basic plagioclase and clinopyroxene.

 

3.33 Diabase

A shallow basic igneous rock composed primarily of pyroxene and basic plagioclase.

 

3.34 Basalt

An extrusive basic igneous rock with a composition comparable to that of gabbro.

 

3.35 Diorite

A plutonic intermediate igneous rock composed primarily of intermediate plagioclase and hornblende.

 

3.36 Granite

A deeply acidic igneous rock composed primarily of quartz, feldspar, mica, and minor amounts of other dark minerals.

 

3.37 Dolomite

Sedimentary rock composed primarily of dolomite.

 

3.38 Limestone

Sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcite.

 

3.39 Oolitic limestone

Limestone with a tubular structure.

 

3.40 Bioclastic limestone

Limestone composed of broken shells cemented by calcium carbonate.

 

3.41 Wormkalk

Limestone composed of rounded and oval flat gravels arranged in parallel. On a vertical section, the gravels resemble bamboo leaves.

 

3.42 Stromatolithic limestone

Limestone with a layered structure. Also called stromatolites.

 

3.43 Marble

Metamorphic rock containing greater than 50% by mass of carbonate minerals (primarily calcite and dolomite).

 

3.44 Serpentinized marble

Marble containing serpentine.

 

3.45 Gneiss

A metamorphic rock with a prominent gneissic texture and high concentrations of feldspar and quartz. The grain size is coarse (generally greater than 1 mm). The minerals in the lamellae or columnar forms may be mica, hornblende, pyroxene, etc.

 

4 Product Terminology

4.1 Untrimmed Quarry Stone

Irregularly shaped stone directly separated from a mine.

 

4.2 Quarry Stone

Stone processed from quarry stone or directly separated from a mine, with specific specifications that meet processing requirements.

 

4.3 Squared Stone

Stone processed from quarry stone to specific specifications, used for masonry.

 

4.4 Dimension Stone

Rough stone that meets standard specifications.

 

4.5 Agreed-Dimension Stone

Rough stone with specifications agreed upon between the supplier and the buyer.

 

4.6 Flag Slab

Slab cut from quarry stone and untreated.

 

4.7 Original Gloss Slab

Rough slab with one side polished to a mirror finish.

 

4.8 Roughing Slab

Slab with a smooth, rough surface.

 

4.9 Axed slab

A rough slab produced using an axe.

 

4.10 Hammered slab

A rough slab produced using a hammer.

 

4.11 Flamed slab

A rough slab produced using a flame process.

 

4.12 Planed slab

A rough slab produced using a planing process.

 

4.13 Rubbed slab

A slab with a smooth, flat surface.

 

4.14 Polished slab

A slab with a smooth, mirror-like finish.

 

4.15 Building slab

A natural stone slab used for architectural decoration.

• Note 1: Granite and marble building slabs are generally less than 50 mm thick, limestone building slabs are less than 75 mm thick, and sandstone building slabs are less than 150 mm thick.
• Note 2: Thicknesses greater than 12 mm are generally called thick slabs, thicknesses between 8 and 12 mm are called thin slabs, and thicknesses less than 8 mm are called ultra-thin slabs.

 

4.16 Normal Slab

Square or rectangular building slabs.

 

4.17 Dimension Slab

Normal slabs of specified dimensions.

 

4.18 Arc Slab

Building slabs with a uniform radius of curvature along the contour of the decorative surface.

 

4.19 Irregular Slab

Building slabs of shapes other than normal and arc slabs.

 

4.20 Agreed-Dimension Slab

Slabs agreed upon by both the supplier and the buyer.

 

4.21 Complex Stone Veneer

Decorative panels made with stone as the facing material, bonded to one or more other materials using a structural adhesive.

 

4.22 Shaped Stone

Stone processed into a special, non-planar shape.

 

4.23 Curve Bar Stone

Decorative stone strips formed by extending a specific geometric cross-section along a specific trajectory.

 

4.24 Solid Post Stone

Architectural or decorative stone columns with a circular cross-section.

 

4.25 Cubic Stock

Natural stone used for paving plazas, roads, or curbs.

Note: Thickness is usually greater than 50 mm.

 

4.26 Tombstone

A set of natural stone tablets placed in front of or behind a grave. Typically consisting of a headstone and a fence, the tablets are engraved with relevant text, patterns, and shapes.

 

4.27 Stele

A stone monument made of natural stone with a commemorative or symbolic character.

 

4.28 Paving

Stone used primarily for outdoor walking paths.

 

5. Property and Defect Terms

5.1 Decoration

The appearance of a decorative stone as reflected by the combination of its color, pattern, and gloss.

 

5.2 Figure

The image presented by the composition, structure, and texture of the decorative stone.

 

5.3 Glossiness

The degree to which the surface of a veneer reflects visible light.

 

5.4 Flatness

The flatness of a veneer.

 

5.5 Angle

The angle between two adjacent edges on the decorative surface of a veneer.

 

5.6 Density

The mass of a rock per unit volume.

 

5.7 Hardness

The ability of a surface to resist scratching, abrasion, cutting, or intrusion by other substances.

 

5.8 Water Absorption

Ratio of the mass of rock absorbed by water to the mass of dry rock.

 

5.9 Abrasion Resistance

Performance of facing stone in resisting foot wear.

 

5.10 Acid Resistance

Performance of facing stone in resisting acid corrosion.

 

5.11 Alkali Resistance

Performance of facing stone in resisting alkali corrosion.

 

5.12 Compressive Strength

The stress at which a specimen fails under a single compressive force.

 

5.13 Flexural Strength

The stress a specimen can withstand when bent to failure.

 

5.14 Frost Resistance

Performance of rock in resisting freeze-thaw damage.

 

5.15 Freeze Resistance Coefficient

The ratio of the flexural strength after freeze-thaw cycles to the water-saturated flexural strength, used to measure the frost resistance of outdoor stone.

 

5.16 Coefficient of Slip Resistance

The ratio of the tangential force to the perpendicular force required to overcome the maximum static friction required to cause sliding.

 

5.17 Crack

A small crack in a rock.

 

5.18 Seam

A naturally filled or bonded curved line in a stone, such as a streak or vein.

 

5.19 Color Stripe

A striped, banded, or patchy material that is inconsistent with the basic color or pattern of the facing stone.

 

5.20 Concretion

A massed inclusion in carbonate rocks, such as flint.

 

5.21 Sand Hole

A naturally occurring pit with a diameter of 2 mm or less.

 

5.22 Hole

A naturally occurring pit with a diameter of 2 mm or more.

 

5.23 Recess

A noticeable dish-like defect on the surface resulting from machining.

 

5.24 Warpage

Bending and twisting of stone.

 

5.25 Edges Imperfection

Damage to the edges and corners of stone.

 

5.26 Stain

Foreign matter, whether primary or secondary, that contaminates the slab.

 

5.27 Hollow

Deep depressions formed during machining.

 

 

6 Mining and Processing Terminology

6.1 Quarrying

The process of separating ore from an ore body.

 

6.2 Quarrying

The site where ore is mined.

 

6.3 Overburden Stripping

The process of removing non-ore material from the ore body before mining.

 

6.4 Saw Cutting

The process of processing rough material into rough boards or blanks.

 

6.5 Cutting Out

The process of processing boards into specific sizes.

 

6.6 Nibbing

The process of processing rough boards to a smooth surface.

 

6.7 Polishing

The process of processing the surface of fine panels to a mirror-like gloss.

 

6.8 Machine Gauging

The process of processing stone to a specified thickness.

 

6.9 Acid-Washing

The process of etching the stone surface with acid.

 

6.10 Antiqued

The process of processing a stone surface to give it an aged appearance.

 

6.11 Tumbled

The process of rotating the stone in a drum to create a smooth surface.

 

6.12 Vibrated

The process of creating a smooth surface by vibrating the stone.

 

6.13 Sandblasted

The process of impacting the stone surface with high-speed sand particles.

 

6.14 Water Jet

The process of impacting the stone surface with a high-pressure water jet.

 

6.15 Bush-hammered

The process of processing the stone surface with a hammer or similar tool.

 

6.16 Flamed

The process of exposing the stone surface to a brief, high-temperature flame, causing it to flake off, creating a rough, textured surface.

 

6.17 Splitting

The process of creating a random finish on the stone surface through rough processing.

 

6.18 Natural Cleft

The process of creating irregular surfaces by cleaving along the planes, bedding, or cracks of stone.

 

6.19 Diamond Saw

The process of working stone using a tool with a diamond tip.

 

6.20 Wire Saw

The process of working stone using a diamond beaded wire saw.

 

6.21 Shot Saw

The process of working stone using a combination of steel strips and cold steel grit.

 

6.22 Penetrable Repair

The process of filling small defects in stone, such as pores and pinholes, using sols, joinery wax, and certain polymers.

 

6.23 Adhibiting Repair

This refers to the repair of the butt joints of broken slabs, typically using dowel pins and epoxy resin glue.

 

6.24 Using Ratio

The ratio of the amount of finished stone to the amount of raw material used.

 

6.25 Recover Grain

Connecting the beginning and end of a natural stone pattern.

 

6.26 Arranging Slab

Pre-surfacing of a floor to achieve a grain effect or to harmonize the overall color of the decorative surface.

 

6.27 Arris

The intersection of the decorative surface and the side of a stone product.

 

6.28 Burnish Arris

The process of grinding an edge into a bevel.

 

6.29 Whole Polishing

An installation or renovation process in stone decoration construction. This involves applying a full surface treatment to the stone floor after installation. This effectively reduces the installation process requirements, eliminates uneven joints, and maintains the stone's bright, smooth appearance.

 

6.30 Recrystallization Hardening Process

Under mechanical action, specialized chemical materials, utilizing the heat generated by friction, bond with the surface structure and microstructure of the stone, creating a microrheological reaction. This results in a new, harder and brighter blended crystal layer, enhancing the stone's hardness and wear resistance.

 

7 Installation Terminology

7.1 Dry-Hang

A method of installing stone surfaces using metal hangers to securely attach the stone to a structure.

 

7.2 Wet-Stick

A method of installing stone surfaces using cement-based or resin-based adhesives to directly attach the stone to a structure.

 

 

This standard is not equivalent to the U.S. ASTM C119-05a "Stone Terminology" and the European EN 12670:200K "Natural Stone - Terminology."

This standard replaces GB/T 13890-1992 "Natural Finishing Stone Terminology."

The main changes in this standard compared to GB/T 13890-1992 are as follows:

-The standard title has been changed to Natural Stone Terms;

The terms and definitions for rock, stone, natural stone, limestone, sandstone, slate, natural facing stone, and weathered stone have been added to the General Terms;

-The terms and definitions for roughened board, building stone, rounded board, stone composite board, special-shaped stone, stone molding, solid stone column, cubic material, tombstone, monument stone, and walkway stone have been added to the Product Terms;

-The terms and definitions for frost resistance coefficient and anti-slip coefficient have been added to the Performance and Defect Terms;

-The terms and definitions for quarrying and processing have been added to the Thickness Criterion, Acid Etching, Antique Imitation, Ball Milling, Vibratory Milling, Sandblasting, Water Jetting, Hammering, Flaming, Splitting, Natural Splitting, Diamond Saw Processing, Wire Saw Processing, Sand Saw Processing, Penetrating Repair, Adhesive Repair, Yield Rate, Grain Tracing, Typesetting, Edge, Chamfer, and Overall Terms and definitions for grinding and recrystallization hardening treatments;

--Added installation terminology, collecting the terms and definitions for dry hanging and wet laying;

--Added annotations to some definitions.

This standard was proposed and coordinated by the China Building Materials Federation.

The responsible drafting organization for this standard is the China National Building Materials Institute of Artificial Crystals.

Participating drafting organization for this standard is Universal Marble (Dongguan) Co., Ltd.

Main drafters of this standard are Zhou Junxing, Xiong Shiwei, Huang Longlin, and Gao Xuewu.

This standard was first published in 1992.

 

 

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