Gohare Limestone Honed & Tumbled
Gohare Limestone Honed & Tumbled is an Iranian cream limestone with a smooth matte face, softened edges and a lightly aged surface. This combined treatment reduces strong light reflection while giving each piece a more natural edge profile.
The stone is extracted from the Gohare quarry near Khorramabad in Lorestan Province, western Iran. Its light cream-to-beige background and occasional grey fossil patterns make it suitable for interior walls, stair areas, decorative architectural elements and selected flooring applications.
What is Gohare Limestone Honed & Tumbled?
Gohare Limestone Honed & Tumbled combines two mechanical treatments. The face is first honed to create a smooth, flat and non-reflective surface. The pieces are then tumbled under controlled conditions to soften their corners and edges.
The result differs from both polished limestone and standard honed limestone. It does not have the bright reflection of a polished finish, and its edges are less sharp than those of conventionally cut honed tiles.
Appearance of Gohare limestone
Gohare limestone usually has a light cream, beige or slightly greyish-cream background. Natural grey fossil markings may appear in different concentrations. These variations are commonly classified as low-fossil, medium-fossil and high-fossil selections.
- Background: Light cream to beige
- Surface: Smooth, matte and low-glare
- Edges: Softened and slightly irregular
- Pattern: Relatively uniform with occasional fossils
- Available sorting: Low, medium or high fossil concentration
Fossil concentration and natural shade variation are visual characteristics rather than independent measures of material quality. Samples from the intended production lot should be approved before manufacturing a large order.
How is the honed finish produced?
During honing, calibrated pieces pass through several grinding stages. Abrasive tools remove saw marks and gradually flatten the face. The process stops before the high-gloss polishing stages, leaving a smooth but non-reflective surface.
The honed face of Gohare Limestone Honed & Tumbled provides:
- Controlled light reflection
- A uniform matte surface
- Better visual tolerance of dust and minor wear than a glossy finish
- Clear presentation of the natural cream background
- A surface suitable for both traditional and modern interiors
How does the tumbling process work?
After honing, pieces are placed in tumbling equipment and moved under controlled conditions. Contact between the pieces, abrasive media and processing materials gradually eases sharp corners and creates a gently worn edge profile.
Tumbling can create small dimensional and edge variations. These variations are part of the intended finish and should be approved through physical samples. The process must be controlled carefully to avoid excessive chipping, inconsistent edges or damage to thin pieces.
Benefits of the combined finish
- Low-glare face: The honed surface does not create a mirror-like reflection.
- Softened edges: Tumbled corners appear less sharp than standard sawn edges.
- Natural appearance: The combined treatment gives the pieces a gently aged character.
- Better surface grip: It may provide more grip than polished stone, but slip resistance must be tested for the intended application.
- Practical maintenance: Minor edge wear and small marks are generally less noticeable than on a high-gloss surface.
Technical specifications
The following figures are indicative values for Gohare limestone. Results may vary by quarry section, block, production lot, specimen orientation and laboratory method. Lot-specific certificates can be requested before confirming a project.
| Property | Indicative value | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Stone classification | Natural limestone | Geological classification |
| Color | Light cream to beige | Visual sorting |
| Water absorption | Approximately 1.8% | ASTM C97/C97M |
| Bulk density | Approximately 2661 kg/m³ | ASTM C97/C97M |
| Porosity | Approximately 2.59% | Laboratory report |
| Compressive strength | Approximately 19.4 MPa | ASTM C170/C170M |
| Flexural strength | Approximately 12.4 MPa | Project laboratory report |
| Abrasion test result | Approximately 59.31 mm | EN 14157 |
ASTM C97/C97M covers absorption and bulk specific gravity testing for dimension stone. Further information about testing natural stone is available from the Natural Stone Institute.
Applications of Gohare Limestone Honed & Tumbled
- Interior wall cladding: Living areas, lobbies, corridors and reception walls
- Selected interior floors: Residential and moderate-traffic areas after suitability assessment
- Stairs and landings: Where a matte surface and softened edge profile are required
- Decorative façades: Subject to climate, fixing and engineering approval
- Columns and balustrades: Straight or CNC-manufactured architectural pieces
- Garden and villa areas: In suitable climates with correct drainage and installation
- Restoration-style projects: Where a lightly aged edge treatment is specified
Exterior use and climate considerations
Exterior suitability must be evaluated according to the climate, stone thickness, fixing method, water exposure and results from the intended production lot. Tumbled edges do not make limestone waterproof or frost-proof.
In cold areas with repeated freeze–thaw cycles, project-specific testing, suitable drainage, protected joints and an approved installation system are important. For façade installation, mechanical fixing may be required according to panel dimensions, height and local building regulations.
A compatible penetrating sealer can help reduce moisture penetration and staining, but it cannot provide complete waterproofing. A trial application should be carried out because some sealers may change the color of a honed surface.
Cleaning and maintenance
- Use a pH-neutral cleaner made for natural limestone.
- Do not use vinegar, acidic cleaners or aggressive descaling products.
- Remove spills before they remain on the stone for a long period.
- Use non-abrasive cleaning tools to avoid uneven surface marks.
- Inspect exterior joints, anchors and sealers periodically.
Available formats
Negin Sang Karimi can manufacture this material as tiles, steps and risers, strips, wall panels and custom cut-to-size components. The tumbled treatment is normally more suitable for tiles and individual pieces than for very large slabs because the process is intended to soften exposed edges.
Related collections include the complete limestone range, Gohare Honed and other products available through the Karimi Stone product catalogue.
Production and export by Karimi Stone
Negin Sang Karimi (Karimi Stone) manages quarry selection, cutting, honing, edge tumbling, sorting, quality control and export preparation. Direct access to Gohare quarry production supports organized selection and continued supply for domestic and international orders.
Before packing, the pieces are inspected for thickness, dimensions, surface consistency, edge treatment, fossil concentration and visible defects. Export orders can be packed in reinforced wooden crates with separators and protection selected according to piece size and destination.
To request samples, available sizes, technical documents or a quotation for Gohare Limestone Honed & Tumbled, please contact Karimi Stone.
Frequently asked questions
Is honed and tumbled the same as a standard honed finish?
No. Both have a matte face, but the tumbled version also has softened and slightly irregular edges.
Is Gohare Limestone Honed & Tumbled non-slip?
It may offer more grip than a polished surface, but it should not be described as completely non-slip. Project-specific slip testing is required for wet or public floors.
Can it be installed outdoors?
It may be used in selected exterior applications when climate, drainage, fixing, thickness and stone test results are suitable.
Can custom sizes be manufactured?
Yes. Tiles, wall panels, steps, risers, strips and CNC elements can be produced according to approved drawings and tolerances.
