Editorial Policy

Source Priority

We prioritize primary and authoritative sources: industry associations such as the Natural Stone Institute and the Tile Council of North America, geological surveys, university geology and materials resources, and manufacturer technical documentation. Established industry publications are a secondary source. We do not treat social media, random SEO blogs, or unverified AI summaries as the sole basis for factual claims.

Natural vs Engineered Distinction

We clearly distinguish natural stone from engineered or manufactured surfaces. In particular, we never confuse engineered quartz with quartzite, and we never confuse natural marble with cultured marble. Where a material's name is commonly misunderstood, we state the distinction explicitly.

How We Describe Variable Properties

Where a property — porosity, hardness, heat resistance, sealing needs — varies by slab, mineral composition, finish, thickness, manufacturing process, or product line, we say so. We avoid presenting single universal numbers where none exist, and we do not describe heat-resistant materials as heatproof, low-porosity materials as completely waterproof, or sealed stone as stain-proof.

No Fabricated Testing or Ratings

We do not publish fabricated laboratory results, invented hardness numbers, or made-up rating systems. We do not claim first-hand testing. Where a specific property matters for a specific product, we direct readers to the manufacturer's or installer's documentation.

Corrections

Errors are corrected against their sources. Readers can report a suspected error through the contact page, including the page URL and, where available, a source. Corrections are reviewed and applied as quickly as practical.

Update Process

Pages are reviewed and updated when sources change or when industry practice evolves. Updates do not carry a public changelog; the site reflects the current, reviewed version of each page.