Resources
Below, find links to our granite specification guide, technical documents, test data, and finishes descriptions.
Granite Specification Guide
Test Data
Visit the Colors page and click through to individual color profile pages.
Absorption (ASTM C97)
Density (ASTM C97)
Compressive Strength (ASTM C170)
Modulus of Rupture (ASTM C99)
Flexural Strength (ASTM C880)
Finishes
Finishes will vary with type of preparatory finish and grain structure of the granite. Special finishes of many kinds are also offered by members of NBGQA to meet special design requirements.
-
- Polished
A highly reflective, smooth finish that magnifies the stone’s natural appearance by illuminating the vibrant colors
-
- Honed
Non-reflective, smooth finish draws out the stone’s natural colors and variations
-
- Fine Rubbed
Smooth and free from scratches; no sheen
-
- Shot Ground
A coarse surface that is slightly rough to the touch, this finish mutes the appearance of the stone’s natural color and grain structures
-
- Sawn
The process of sawing leaves slight grooves, swirl marks and lines on the stone’s surface, softening its natural traits
-
- Rub & Sand
Semi-smooth and light in appearance, this finish creates a subtle contrast between the stone’s color and crystals
-
- Waterjet
A high water pressure treatment reveals the natural crystal structure of the stone through a course textured finish
-
- Sand Blasted Fine Stippled
Rough, flat surface produced by blasting with an abrasive revealing crystal structure, less pronounced texture than coarse stippled
-
- Sand Blasted Coarse Stippled
Rough, flat surface produced by blasting with an abrasive revealing crystal structure, more pronounced texture than fine stippled
-
- Bush Hammered
Crystals are uniformly fashioned to create a light-on-dark “stippled” effect across this finish’s coarse surface
-
- 4-Cut
Coarse bush-hammered finish with same characteristics as 6-cut, but with markings not more than 7/32″ apart
-
- 6-Cut
Medium bush-hammered finish, similar to but coarser than 8-cut, with markings not more than 1/8” apart
-
- 8-Cut
Fine bush-hammered; interupted parallel markings not over 3/32″ apart; a corrugated finish, smoother near arris lines and on small surfaces
-
- Thermal
Rough to the touch, this finish showcases the stone’s sparkling crystals against a lightened background
-
- Split
A natural, jagged cleft-face design permeates this finish, with untrimmed edges that create a rugged effect throughout. Faces can be convex, concave or flat
-
- Rock Face
Similar to split face with bolder projections from the plane of the arris lines
Finishes
Finishes will vary with type of preparatory finish and grain structure of the granite. Special finishes of many kinds are also offered by members of NBGQA to meet special design requirements.
-
- Polished
A highly reflective, smooth finish that magnifies the stone’s natural appearance by illuminating the vibrant colors
-
- Honed
Non-reflective, smooth finish draws out the stone’s natural colors and variations
-
- Fine Rubbed
Smooth and free from scratches; no sheen
-
- Shot Ground
A coarse surface that is slightly rough to the touch, this finish mutes the appearance of the stone’s natural color and grain structures
-
- Sawn
The process of sawing leaves slight grooves, swirl marks and lines on the stone’s surface, softening its natural traits
-
- Rub & Sand
Semi-smooth and light in appearance, this finish creates a subtle contrast between the stone’s color and crystals
-
- Waterjet
A high water pressure treatment reveals the natural crystal structure of the stone through a course textured finish
-
- Sand Blasted Coarse Stippled
Rough, flat surface produced by blasting with an abrasive revealing crystal structure, more pronounced texture than fine stippled
-
- Sand Blasted Fine Stippled
Rough, flat surface produced by blasting with an abrasive revealing crystal structure, less pronounced texture than coarse stippled
-
- Bush Hammered
Crystals are uniformly fashioned to create a light-on-dark “stippled” effect across this finish’s coarse surface
-
- 4-Cut
Coarse bush-hammered finish with same characteristics as 6-cut, but with markings not more than 7/32″ apart
-
- 6-Cut
Medium bush-hammered finish, similar to but coarser than 8-cut, with markings not more than 1/8” apart
-
- 8-Cut
Fine bush-hammered; interupted parallel markings not over 3/32″ apart; a corrugated finish, smoother near arris lines and on small surfaces
-
- Thermal
Rough to the touch, this finish showcases the stone’s sparkling crystals against a lightened background
-
- Split
A natural, jagged cleft-face design permeates this finish, with untrimmed edges that create a rugged effect throughout. Faces can be convex, concave or flat
-
- Rock Face
Similar to split face with bolder projections from the plane of the arris lines
Finishes
Finishes will vary with type of preparatory finish and grain structure of the granite. Special finishes of many kinds are also offered by members of NBGQA to meet special design requirements.
-
- Polished
A highly reflective, smooth finish that magnifies the stone’s natural appearance by illuminating the vibrant colors
-
- Honed
Non-reflective, smooth finish draws out the stone’s natural colors and variations
-
- Fine Rubbed
Smooth and free from scratches; no sheen
-
- Shot Ground
A coarse surface that is slightly rough to the touch, this finish mutes the appearance of the stone’s natural color and grain structures
-
- Rub & Sand
Semi-smooth and light in appearance, this finish creates a subtle contrast between the stone’s color and crystals
-
- Waterjet
A high water pressure treatment reveals the natural crystal structure of the stone through a course textured finish
-
- Sand Blasted Coarse Stippled
Rough, flat surface produced by blasting with an abrasive revealing crystal structure, more pronounced texture than fine stippled
-
- Sand Blasted Fine Stippled
Rough, flat surface produced by blasting with an abrasive revealing crystal structure, less pronounced texture than coarse stippled
-
- Sawn
The process of sawing leaves slight grooves, swirl marks and lines on the stone’s surface, softening its natural traits
-
- Bush Hammered
Crystals are uniformly fashioned to create a light-on-dark “stippled” effect across this finish’s coarse surface
-
- 8-Cut
Fine bush-hammered; interupted parallel markings not over 3/32″ apart; a corrugated finish, smoother near arris lines and on small surfaces
-
- 6-Cut
Medium bush-hammered finish, similar to but coarser than 8-cut, with markings not more than 1/8” apart
-
- 4-Cut
Coarse bush-hammered finish with same characteristics as 6-cut, but with markings not more than 7/32″ apart
-
- Thermal
Rough to the touch, this finish showcases the stone’s sparkling crystals against a lightened background
-
- Split
A natural, jagged cleft-face design permeates this finish, with untrimmed edges that create a rugged effect throughout. Faces can be convex, concave or flat
-
- Rock Face
Similar to split face with bolder projections from the plane of the arris lines
© National Building Granite Quarries Association, 2019