Variation with Natural Stone - Everything You Need to Know

natural stone variation: plan for it

natural stone was formed, not fabricated. each piece has been millions of years in the making. it is miraculous, timeless and effortlessly luxurious. it can also be surprising. natural stone does not do uniformity — the key word being natural — and that is a what makes it so magical.

every block of marble, limestone, travertine, slate, or dolomite has its own color, veining, pores, fossils, and movement. within each block, nature has layered minerals and organic matter in wonderfully unpredictable ways. the result? even pieces cut from the same block may look more like cousins than siblings.

however, that fragmented family tree also means that inspiration images you’ve pinned and planned around should be treated as a starting point, not a specification. no two stone installations could ever look exactly alike, and that is exactly why we stan for stone. its differences are the point, not a defect. unexpected details are what give any project depth, character and a beauty all its own. so, if an exact replica or perfectly consistent result is the goal, stop reading: natural stone is not the right material for you.

if you’re still with us, remember this: with careful measuring, sufficient overage, and thoughtful blending, that variation becomes a beautifully composed installation, and not an unwelcome surprise. here’s how to avoid the three most dreaded words in any tile project: add-on order.

“the mountain makes no promises of uniformity — only originality.”
—deborah osburn, clé founder

why doesn’t my sample match my order?

we think anything natural, when sampled out of context, is really more of an introduction than a preview.

your sample will certainly show the stone’s general color and tone, finish, and overall character, but it cannot represent every variation that may appear across your tile installation. your initial sample and full order could quite possibly be cut from different blocks—or different areas of the quarry—resulting in shifts in tone and veining. while many of these differences are subtle, they aren’t always.

so what good is the sample? use it to decide whether you love the stone’s overall language: its palette, texture, movement, and mood. don’t focus on one particular shade, vein, fossil, or marking. with natural stone, the beauty lies in how all these characteristics come together.

same stone, different sizes: will they match?

not necessarily.

different sizes of the same stone may be cut at different times or from different blocks. the stone name may be identical, but its tone, pattern, or movement may vary.

to create the most cohesive result, follow these stone steps:

• finalize and order all sizes at the same time.
• review the variation information for each product.
• order sufficient overage for every size and format.
• create a layout using all sizes before installation.
• most importantly, contact clé before ordering if coordination between formats is especially important.

a perfect match cannot be guaranteed, but planning the complete installation from the beginning gives you more material to work with. your installer will thank you, too.

avoiding an add-on order

first: finalize the design. decide where the tile begins and ends, which sizes will be used, and whether there is any chance you might extend the installation later.

next: have an experienced installer confirm your measurements. quantities must account for the pattern, grout joints, cuts, corners, and potential breakage. plus, you’ll want a few pieces left over for a rainy day—or a future repair.

clé recommends at least 15% overage for most tile orders. however, with certain stones, the minimum should be an overage of 25 - 35%. a good rule of thumb is this: if the stone has veining, go higher. this is an especially important consideration with our larger-format tiles, which can be more challenging to blend. additional material allows your installer to select the pieces that work best together. options are good.

what if i measured incorrectly?

stop installation and determine exactly how much material is missing.

it’s important to know that an add-on order could come from a different block or area of the quarry, so it may not match the original order—even when the stone, size, and finish are the same. of course, it may also be out of stock or made to order (read: delays).

if the new material differs, your installer may be able to artfully blend it throughout the remaining installation or use it in an adjacent or less visible area.

before you reorder, contact clé to discuss these—and other—options.

the golden rule: blend, blend, blend

when you’ve got your tile, open every box and lay out the pieces in the installation area. be sure to pull pieces from all boxes, distribute the various tones and veining, and review the layout under the room’s actual lighting. this is true not only of stone but of all artisan and natural tile.

this is also your opportunity to confirm that you have enough material and are comfortable with the variation. installation constitutes acceptance, so don’t skip these crucial steps.

a final note of caution: you should never install your tile one box at a time. that can only result in a disappointing installation. and we hate saying “i told you so”.