What is the typical "cleft" depth and surface variation?

Our Brazilian Riven Slate is known for its exceptionally "low-cleft" surface. Unlike Indian or Chinese slates, which can have aggressive ridges, our Brazilian slabs offer a flatter, more uniform split. This makes it ideal for fireplace hearths where a level surface is required for stoves to sit securely without excessive shimming.

How do you categorise "Standard" vs. "Premium" grades in Natural Riven Slate?

We apply a strict, multi-factor grading system.

Premium Grade slabs are selected for their near-flat surface, minimal riven texture, and overall clean, modern look with fewer natural "distractions".

Standard Grade slabs exhibit more of the stone's organic character, with greater variation in tone, colour and texture. No two slabs are likely to look the same

Is the slate calibrated for ease of installation?

Yes. To save time on-site, our riven hearths are calibrated (machined) on the underside to a consistent thickness (typically 20mm or 30mm). This ensures that while the top remains natural and riven, the base is flat, allowing for a faster, more predictable bedding process 

Can Brazilian slate be cut easily?

Because Brazilian slate is a metamorphic rock with very fine grains, it is incredibly dense. While it can be cut precisely with a diamond blade, it does not "flake" or "delaminate" as easily as lower-quality slates. 

What is the porosity rating and maintenance requirement for trade installs?

Brazilian slate is highly suited for fireplace hearths due to its density and heat resistance. With a water absorption rate below 0.5%, it is naturally stain-resistant and won't warp or degrade under heat. For a professional finish, we recommend sealing the stone with Stovax Slate Dressing Oil to protect the surface and enhance the natural colour

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The Brushed / Antique Leather Slate Collection: Discover a surface designed for the senses. Our Brushed Leather Slate collection features a signature "aged" texture that pairs antique warmth with a clean, contemporary edge. Each slab is hand-selected for its unique tonal character and finished with precision-chamfered edges for a seamless, high-end look. Perfect for those seeking an organic, matte finish that feels as incredible as it looks.

• Free delivery applies to full crates in England & Wales. 

• For other areas, please get in touch with us for a quote

• All prices are inclusive of VAT

Is brushed slate graded? 

To get the best results from the brushing process, we use only standard-grade natural riven slabs. The Science: Brushing requires the natural texture and "character" found in the standard grade slabs. A Premium slab is often too uniform, resulting in a flat, dull finish when brushed. By using Standard Grade, you get a deeper, richer texture that looks superior. For a more detailed and science-backed explanation, please take a look at this  blog

The Honed Slate Collection:  Sleek, Smooth, and Sophisticated

Elevate your fireplace with the understated luxury of Brazilian Honed Slate. While the surface is precision-honed to a silky, flat finish, the stone retains its organic soul through subtle, cloud-like markings and soft tonal shifts. These natural "clouds" give the deep graphite surface a sense of movement and depth. It is the ideal choice for minimalist interiors or modern stove installations where you want clean lines paired with the unmistakable character of natural stone.

• Free delivery applies to full crates in England & Wales. 

• For other areas, please contact us for a quote

• All prices are inclusive of VAT

How consistent is the calibration and thickness?

• Precision Machining: Our honed slate is calibrated to a standard thickness of 20mm

• Tolerances: We maintain a strict +/- 2mm tolerance to ensure level bedding and flush joints on-site.
  
  

Understanding Grade and Surface Character?

• Process-Driven Aesthetics: Unlike our natural riven collection, where "Standard" and "Premium" grades are determined by the initial surface split, the final appearance of honed slate is only revealed during the machining process.

• The "Honed Reveal": A slab that appears uniform or "plain" in its riven state can often exhibit significant cloud-like markings and tonal depth once the top layer is honed away.

• Selection Criteria: Because the aesthetic character remains hidden until the stone is processed, we select our honed stock based on structural density and mineral composition rather than pre-honed surface appearance.

• Project Planning: We advise trade professionals to view honed slate as a "living" natural material. The beauty of the finish lies in this unpredictability, ensuring that every hearth is a one-of-a-kind installation.

How does it perform regarding heat and staining?

• Thermal Rating: Naturally Grade A fire-rated and heat-resistant—ideal for solid fuel and gas hearths.

• Density: Low porosity makes it naturally resistant to water; we recommend an impregnating sealer for oil and carbon protection.

What is the slip resistance (R-rating)?

• Safety: The honed finish typically sits at an R9/R10 rating.

• Application: Fireplace hearth, chamber and surround

Tonal Reliability & Natural Variation

• Organic Character: The honing process reveals the stone’s internal grain, exposing unique, cloud-like markings that give each piece a distinct aesthetic.

• Unique Aesthetic: Unlike standard riven slate, the honed finish ensures that no two slabs are identical. This natural variation is a hallmark of premium Brazilian stone and should be factored into the design intent when presenting to end clients.

• Client Expectation Management: We recommend briefing clients on these tonal shifts before installation to ensure appreciation of the stone's natural diversity.

• Visual Verification: For bespoke or single-slab orders, we can provide "pre-dispatch" photography upon request to confirm character. We don't offer visual verification for full-crate bulk orders due to logistical constraints.

The Black Limestone Collection: Bold, Textured, and Timeless

Elevate your fireplace with the grounding presence of Natural Black Limestone. While the surface features a sophisticated "orange-skin" stippled texture, the stone retains its organic soul through a dense charcoal grain and a tactile, matte finish. This unique stippling gives the deep obsidian surface a refined architectural weight while cleverly masking ash and surface smudges. It is the ideal choice for high-traffic hearths or traditional stove installations where you want a dramatic focal point paired with a durable, low-maintenance character.

• Free delivery applies to full crates in England & Wales.

• For other areas, please contact us for a quote.

• All prices are inclusive of VAT.

What does the "orange-skin" texture actually feel like? Unlike honed slate, which is silky-smooth, our Black Limestone has a finely stippled, tactile surface similar to the rind of an orange. This "stippling" provides a sophisticated matte finish that is naturally slip-resistant and feels solid and architectural underfoot.

How does this texture help with maintenance? The "orange-skin" texture is incredibly practical for wood-burning stoves. While perfectly smooth surfaces show every speck of grey ash and fingerprint, the textured surface of limestone cleverly masks soot, dust, and light surface smudges, keeping your hearth looking cleaner for longer between wipes.

Is Black Limestone a "true black" colour? In its natural state, it is a deep charcoal or graphite grey. However, because of the textured surface, it takes stone enhancers and slate oils exceptionally well. When sealed, the stone transforms into a rich, dramatic obsidian black with a beautiful matte lustre.

Will it show scratches from logs or fireplace tools? All natural stone can scratch if mistreated, but Black Limestone is exceptionally dense and forgiving. The stippled texture helps to camouflage micro-scratches and general wear-and-tear much more effectively than a polished or flat-honed surface, making it ideal for high-use fireplaces.

Does it require a specific type of sealer? To maintain the bold, dark look described in our collection, we recommend using a high-quality slate dressing oil or colour intensifier. This seals the "orange-skin" pores, protecting the stone from stains while locking in that deep, timeless black aesthetic.

The Grey Limestone Collection: Organic, Hard-Wearing, and Versatile

Elevate your fireplace with the rugged, architectural appeal of Natural Grey Limestone. While it shares the signature "orange-skin" stippled texture of our black variety, this stone is significantly harder, offering superior durability for heavy-duty installations. In its raw form, it displays a uniform, cool grey tone, but when sealed, it transforms, deepening in colour to reveal a sophisticated, warmer brownish hue. It is the ideal choice for those who want a clean, sawn-edge profile paired with the authentic, varied character of high-density natural stone.

• Free delivery applies to full crates in England & Wales.

• For other areas, please get in touch with us for a quote.

• All prices are inclusive of VAT.

How does Grey Limestone differ from Black Limestone? Grey Limestone is a significantly denser and harder stone. While it shares a similar "orange-skin" texture, it is more rugged and specifically suited for heavy-duty fireplace installations. Due to its hardness, it is strictly finished with clean, sawn edges rather than hand-dressed profiles.

What does the "orange-skin" texture look like on the Grey variety? It features a tactile, stippled surface that provides excellent slip resistance. Unlike the Black Limestone, the texture on the Grey variety is more organic; you will see natural variations where some areas are slightly more textured than others, giving the hearth a more authentic, stone-earth feel.

Does the colour change when the stone is sealed? Yes, significantly. In its natural form, it has a uniform, cool grey tone. When a sealer or colour intensifier is applied, the stone deepens into a much darker graphite with a subtle, sophisticated brownish hue, adding warmth to the overall look.

Why is it important to seal the sawn edges as well as the surface? Because the edges are sawn, they expose the "raw" interior of the stone, which is lighter in colour. Sealing the edges alongside the surface ensures a "homogenous" look, blending the face and the profile into one consistent colour. Leaving the edges unsealed will result in a lighter, contrasting frame around the hearth.

How does this stone handle the demands of a busy fireplace? Grey Limestone is our most resilient limestone option. The combination of its extreme density and the stippled texture makes it highly resistant to scratches and impacts. The varied surface is also excellent at masking light ash and dust, making it a very low-maintenance trade favourite.