What’s the Difference Between Polishing and Honing Stone?

Zack Betzsold • May 20, 2025

If you’re not sure whether your stone surfaces should be polished or honed, you’re not alone. Many homeowners and business owners in St. George ask us this question. At Sky’s Stone Care, we offer both services — and each has its own purpose depending on the look and function you want.


Polishing creates a shiny, reflective surface. It’s perfect for stone you want to stand out, like countertops or vanities. Polishing is most common on:

  • Granite kitchen counters
  • Marble bathroom vanities
  • Onyx tables

Polishing brings out the color and pattern in the stone. However, it can show water spots, fingerprints, and dust more easily. It also needs regular cleaning and occasional touch-ups to stay sharp.


Honing gives the stone a smooth, matte finish. It removes surface wear without adding shine. Honing is best for:

  • Travertine floors
  • Limestone showers
  • Outdoor countertops
  • High-traffic entryways

Honed surfaces are easier to maintain, hide scratches better, and don’t show as much glare. They feel soft to the touch and are less slippery when wet — a plus in bathrooms and walkways.


When to choose polishing:

  • You want a glossy, high-end look
  • Your stone has light etching or dull areas
  • You want to enhance colors and veining


When to choose honing:

  • You prefer a natural, low-sheen look
  • You want a surface that hides wear
  • You’re working with softer stones in high-use areas


At Sky’s Stone Care, we help St. George homeowners choose the right finish based on where the stone is and how it’s used. We’ve worked on projects from Desert Hills to Green Springs, and we understand what works best in Southern Utah homes.

Need help deciding? We’re happy to inspect your stone and recommend whether polishing, honing, or a full refinish is the right fit.

How Often Should You Seal Natural Stone?

By Zack Betzsold • May 20, 2025
Sealing your natural stone is one of the best ways to protect it from damage. Whether you have granite countertops, marble vanities, travertine floors, or limestone showers in your St. George home, keeping the surface sealed helps block stains, moisture, and wear. But how often should you seal it?  At Sky’s Stone Care, we recommend sealing most natural stone every 12 to 18 months. This timeline depends on the type of stone, where it’s located, and how often it’s used. Why sealing matters: Stone is porous. That means it can absorb liquids like water, oil, coffee, or wine. Once absorbed, those liquids can cause stains, discoloration, or breakdown of the stone surface. Sealing fills in the pores and creates a protective barrier. St. George conditions can wear down sealer faster: The dry air, dust, and hard water in Southern Utah can cause sealers to break down faster than in other areas. We’ve seen many homes in Desert Color, Washington Fields, and Ivins where the sealer wore off within a year due to high usage or improper products. Simple test to check your sealer: Drip a small amount of water on your stone. If it beads up and sits on top, the sealer is still working. If it soaks in or darkens the stone, it’s time to reseal. Stone types and sealing needs: Granite: Once every 1–2 years, depending on use Marble: Every 6–12 months, especially in kitchens and bathrooms Travertine/Limestone: Every 6–12 months, especially in showers or outdoor areas Onyx: Needs regular sealing due to softness and sensitivity What happens during professional sealing? At Sky’s Stone Care, our sealing service includes: Deep surface cleaning Drying time to ensure no moisture is trapped Application of a high-quality, stone-safe sealer Wipe down to remove residue Sealing is often paired with polishing, honing, or chip repair as part of routine maintenance. If it’s been more than a year since your stone was sealed — or if you’re not sure — we’re happy to inspect it and recommend the right next step. Contact Sky’s Stone Care for expert sealing and stain protection services in the St. George area.

5 Signs Your Stone Countertops Need Professional Care

By Zack Betzsold • May 20, 2025
If you have natural stone countertops in your home or business in St. George, Utah, it’s important to know when they need professional attention. While stone is strong, it still wears down over time, especially in high-use areas like kitchens and bathrooms. At Sky’s Stone Care, we help homeowners and property managers protect and restore their marble, granite, travertine, limestone, and onyx surfaces with expert care. Here are five clear signs it’s time to call a professional stone care company:  1. Your countertops look dull or cloudy If your stone used to shine but now looks flat, hazy, or cloudy, the surface may be covered in micro-scratches or residue from cleaning products. In many cases, the stone simply needs diamond polishing to remove the worn top layer and restore the natural shine. This is especially common in granite and marble countertops in kitchens where daily use wears down the finish. 2. Water soaks into the surface quickly Unsealed or poorly sealed stone absorbs water fast. A simple way to test this is to drip water on the surface. If it darkens or soaks in within a few minutes, the stone likely needs to be resealed. At Sky’s Stone Care, we offer professional sealing services to protect against stains and water damage. 3. You notice scratches or chips Even small scratches or chips can affect the look and lifespan of your stone. These are often caused by kitchen tools, dropped items, or heavy traffic in commercial spaces. Chips on edges and corners are especially common. Our chip repair and scratch removal services in St. George help fix this damage and prevent it from getting worse. 4. The stone feels rough or uneven Stone should feel smooth and solid. If the surface feels gritty, pitted, or bumpy, it may need honing to even it out. Honing is ideal for travertine, marble, and limestone surfaces that have become worn from use. 5. Stains or etch marks won’t go away Acidic spills from lemon juice, vinegar, wine, or harsh cleaners can leave dull etch marks on marble and other soft stones. These spots are under the surface and won’t clean off. We use safe, proven methods to remove etch stains and refinish the area. If you notice any of these signs on your stone surfaces, contact Sky’s Stone Care. We offer full-service stone restoration in St. George, Utah — including deep cleaning, sealing, polishing, chip repair, honing, and more. Regular maintenance keeps your stone looking good and helps avoid expensive replacements later.