The Difference Between Polished, Honed, and Leathered Stone Finishes

When selecting natural stone for your kitchen, bathroom, or feature wall, the type of finish you choose can dramatically affect both the appearance and feel of your space. While the stone itself defines the character, its finish defines the mood — glossy and glamorous, soft and organic, or tactile and natural.

At GEM International, every slab is chosen not only for its rarity and quality but also for how its finish transforms its personality. Let’s explore the three most popular types — polished, honed, and leathered — so you can select the one that perfectly fits your design vision.

1) Polished Finish: Timeless Brilliance and Reflection

A polished finish is the most recognizable and widely used surface treatment for natural stone. Through a high-speed mechanical process, the stone’s surface is buffed until it achieves a mirror-like shine that highlights every vein, swirl, and mineral pattern.

Aesthetic:
Glossy, elegant, and light-reflective — ideal for creating a sense of luxury and spaciousness.

Best For:

Kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities
Statement walls or flooring in formal spaces
Showrooms and high-end hospitality interiors

Advantages:

Amplifies color and veining, showcasing the stone’s natural beauty
Creates a sleek, refined look
Easier to clean, as the smooth surface resists moisture and stains

Considerations:

May show fingerprints or etching on soft stones like marble
Slippery when wet, so less ideal for flooring in high-moisture areas

Design Tip: A polished Calacatta Viola marble island adds instant drama and Old Hollywood glamour to contemporary kitchens.

2) Honed Finish: Understated Luxury with a Soft Touch

A honed finish provides a smooth, matte, and velvety surface without the gloss of polish. It’s created by stopping the polishing process before the surface becomes reflective, resulting in a subtle, satin-like texture that feels calm and natural.

Aesthetic:
Soft, muted, and sophisticated — perfect for contemporary or minimalist designs.

Best For:

Bathroom floors and shower walls
Kitchen surfaces seeking a relaxed, organic feel
Entryways or feature walls with gentle lighting

Advantages:

Hides scratches, fingerprints, and etching better than polished finishes
Offers a more natural, tactile aesthetic
Less slippery underfoot — ideal for flooring

Considerations:

More porous than polished stone, so regular sealing is recommended
Colors may appear lighter or more muted

Design Tip: Honed Dolomite or limestone delivers a serene, spa-inspired atmosphere — especially in bathrooms where light plays gently across matte surfaces.

3) Leathered Finish: Texture, Depth, and Character

The leathered finish (sometimes called “brushed”) has become a designer favorite for its rich texture and tactile depth. Achieved by running diamond-tipped brushes across a honed surface, it creates a subtle undulating feel that enhances the stone’s natural movement and color variation.

Aesthetic:
Earthy, contemporary, and full of dimension — a perfect balance between rustic and refined.

Best For:

Kitchen countertops for a fingerprint-resistant, textural appeal
Accent walls and fireplace surrounds
Modern rustic or industrial-style interiors

Advantages:

Excellent for hiding smudges and water spots
Adds warmth and depth to neutral or dark stones
Provides a unique sensory experience — both visual and tactile

Considerations:

Slightly more difficult to clean in deep textures
Not available on every stone type (ask GEM which stones finish best with this treatment)

Design Tip: Leathered Black Soapstone or Taj Mahal quartzite creates a striking, contemporary countertop with understated luxury.

4) Choosing the Right Finish for Your Space

Finish Type	Look	Feel	Best For
Polished	High-gloss, reflective	Smooth, sleek	Countertops, vanities, accent walls
Honed	Matte, soft	Silky, velvety	Floors, bathrooms, serene spaces
Leathered	Textured, natural	Tactile, rich	Countertops, feature walls, rustic designs

When choosing a finish, consider how your space is used, the desired ambiance, and maintenance needs. GEM International’s team can help you visualize each finish on a full slab — so you can see firsthand how light, texture, and color come together.

Final Thoughts

The finish you select transforms how your stone is experienced — from the reflective elegance of polished marble to the soft serenity of honed limestone or the tactile sophistication of leathered quartzite. Each one tells a different story, and at GEM International, we help you tell yours beautifully.

Visit Our Los Angeles Showroom

Explore polished, honed, and leathered finishes in person at GEM International’s Los Angeles showroom. Our expert team will guide you through stone types, finishes, and applications to help you achieve a design that feels truly personal.