Skip to content

Stone Glossary

Helping you with the decision making process

ABACUS – The uppermost component of a classical column, most often a plain square slab but sometimes embellished.

ACROPOLIS – Elevated symbolic center of a Greek city-state, bringing together its most important sacred and civic buildings in one urban space, invariably on a high plateau. The most famous is the Acropolis in Athens, which is centered around the Parthenon, the great white marble temple of Athena Parthenaos, the city-state’s namesake deity.

AEDICULE – A canopied niche framed by colonettes, resembling a temple and intended as a shrine or votive offering; a doorway or window flanked by a pair of columns and topped by a pediment.

AGATE – A variegated type of quartz showing colored bands or other markings (clouded, moss-like, etc.).

AGGREGATE – The sand, gravel or stone which is mixed with cement and water to make concrete.

AMPHITHEATER – A circular or elliptical arena enclosed by rising tiers of stone seats around a central open area used by the Romans for circuses and gladiatorial contests. Ancient Greek amphitheaters were typically semi-circular and set into the hillside.

ANCHOR – Metal rod, wire, or strap that secures stone or other masonry to structural framework, backup wall, or other elements, or holds stone units together. Types for stone work include: FLAT STOCK: strap, cramps, dovetail and dowel, strap and dowel, and 2-way anchors. CORRUGATED: corrugated wall ties and dovetail anchors. ROUND STOCK: rod cramp, rod anchor, eye bolt and dowel, flathook wall tie and dowel, dowel and wire toggle bolts.

APEX STONE – Uppermost stone in a gable, pediment, pyramid, vault or dome.

ARCH – A curved construction spanned over an opening and supported at its sides or ends. Usually made from cut stone voussoirs, or interlocking wedge-shaped blocks, that carry downward thrusts out to side walls or lateral abutments.

ARCHITRAVE – Originally a simple, flat, structural lintel spanning between two columns and resting directly on their capitals; the lowest component of a classical entablature. In current usage, the term refers to any molded door or window frame.

ARGILLITE – A compact sedimentary rock composed mainly of clay and aluminum silicate materials.

ARRIS – A natural or applied line on a stone from which all leveling and plumbing is measured; an edge at the intersection of two planes; the ridge between adjoining flutes on a classical column.

ASHLAR – Building stone that has been smooth cut, or dressed, into squared or rectangular blocks.

Stone Gallery

Product Reviews

[testimonial_view id="7"]