Polished vs Matte Finish: Which One Works Better for Gemstone Tiles?

I went to a villa in Udaipur last month, and the owner asked me for help with deciding on the finish for his living room, polished or matte. The two of us discovered that the gemstone tile finish (including agate and amethyst) would be based on how you want to feel when you are in the space; the intended use of the room; how much light is in the room, etc. Each gemstone tiles will have a distinct character; depending on whether you use a polished or matte finish on them, you either enhance their fabulous vibrancy or de-emphasize their quiet elegance. If you no longer want to see standard marble finishes, you will be amazed at what these semiprecious surfaces can give you; when you see this type of tile, you will be able to see both the practical and aesthetic factors involved with each type of finish. Furthermore, I discuss custom finishes available from manufacturers such as Divya Gem Stonex.

What Makes Gemstone Tiles Special?

Decorative tiles made from gemstone such as agate, tiger’s-eye and amethyst are made by adhering thin sections cut from semi-precious stones into one long slab of rock. As a result, these types of gemstones are some of the most durable in existence; in addition, because of their three dimensional veining, they also exhibit more depth than comparable artificial tiles. Finally, there are many different ways gemstone tiles can be “finished,” and each type of finishing will impact how color/pattern will appear; how much slip resistance will be present; how easily it will be cleaned or maintained. Thus, when choosing where to purchase gemstone tiles, selecting the best “finishing” for your needs is as important as considering the actual stone color/pattern.

The Allure of Polished Gemstone Tiles

A beautiful polished gemstone tile will create a fabulous look for your home by reflecting light sources and dramatizing the light reflected off of other surfaces. Polished gemstone tiles create a depth perception that is twice the normal depth perception, making the colors on such tiles look brighter and more vivid than ever before.

Polished gemstone tiles highlight the veining and the small mineral inclusions in the stone and will help to increase the amount of conversation generated by each slab. Properly maintained sealed slabs can be easily cleaned by dusting and using a gentle non-acidic cleaner to keep them looking good.

Matte Gemstone Tiles: Practical Elegance

Matte stone tiles have a subtle yet sophisticated look due to how they scatter light, rather than reflecting it; they also create a much softer colour pallette with a very different perception of depth. In addition, their lack of sheen makes it much harder to see dirt, oil, etc., so matte stone tiles do a much better job of hiding fingerprints and scratches, as well as providing a larger amount of grip/ traction due to their finish's texture. As a result, these tiles are great options for kitchens, bathrooms and other areas subject to heavy foot traffic. I've personally witnessed some beautiful family kitchen renovations with matte gemstone tiles in Jodhpur, and the families who have used them have all loved how peaceful and lived-in their homes feel with the addition of these tiles. Tiles with a matte finish are extremely forgiving; chips or other marks from the installation process tend to become less noticeable because they are part of the texture of the tile, meaning no rush to fix them after having been installed. Additionally, families that have sealed their matte stone tiles with a honed sealer after installation will enjoy the benefits of additional stain protection while retaining all the advantages of grip/ traction from the finish.

How to Choose the Right Finish 

When you are thinking about how you will use a room you should also think about the lighting and your lifestyle. If you want something that will really stand out like a wall or counter you should choose polished Gemstone Tiles.. For a family home especially in a busy kitchen or bathroom it is better to use matte.

You have to think about things like floors in a kids playroom. If the room does not get a lot of light Gemstone Tiles can help make it look brighter.. If you are worried about people slipping and falling then matte is a better choice. One thing you can do is use a mix of both like Gemstone Tiles as an accent and matte, for the floors so you can have a nice balance of style and safety. Gemstone Tiles can really make a room look nice and using them in the way can make a big difference.

Also think long term: some finishes age differently; a polished surface may develop patina in sunlight while matte holds steady. Budget for sealing and periodic maintenance when planning.

Why Choose Divya Gem Stonex gemstone tiles?

Divya Gem Stonex gemstone tiles are slab quality sourced from Rajasthan, ethically made and custom polished/matte. The Jaipur Mansions and boutique hotels use this product for their colour matching and consistency, trustworthiness of slabs, on-site consultation & sample match to guarantee proper fit of each slab in light and space. See collections at Divya Gem Stonex.