Limestone - Valencia Brushed Travertine Hexagon Mosaic Tile

It sits between the other two. Honing grinds a level plane and keeps every edge sharp; tumbling breaks the surface and rounds every edge; brushing works the face with abrasive wire while leaving the edges largely intact. The result is a gently undulating matte surface with a fine tooth, on pieces that still hold defined geometry. It adds grip without giving up the crispness of the pattern, which is the compromise a mosaic floor usually wants.

On a sheet of two stones it does something further. Because the brush follows the natural hardness of whatever it passes over, each stone takes on its own degree of relief, so the two materials end up differing in texture as well as in colour. Run a hand across the sheet and the boundary between shellstone and Valencia is palpable before it is visible.

Both stones are calcareous and absorbent, and a brushed face presents more surface area than a level one, so expect the first coat of sealer to soak in noticeably. Seal before grouting and again once the grout has cured.