Riverstone Pebble Tiles is a composite material

Composite material

Composite materials, often shortened to composites or called composition materials, are engineered or naturally occurring materials made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties which remain separate and distinct at the macroscopic or...

 made up of marble

Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...

 pebbles or pieces of natural stone in different sizes, bound together with a transparent white or coloured resin

Resin

Resin in the most specific use of the term is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. Resins are valued for their chemical properties and associated uses, such as the production of varnishes, adhesives, and food glazing agents; as an important source of raw materials...

.

Manufacture

The material is made by adding resin

Resin

Resin in the most specific use of the term is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. Resins are valued for their chemical properties and associated uses, such as the production of varnishes, adhesives, and food glazing agents; as an important source of raw materials...

 to marble

Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...

 or stone

Rock (geology)

In geology, rock or stone is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids.The Earth's outer solid layer, the lithosphere, is made of rock. In general rocks are of three types, namely, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic...

 pebbles laid down on a moulding.
One side is polished and the other side is cut.
As a result, the polished side becomes slightly undulating, where the resin is lower than the pebbles that come to the surface.
This characteristic makes Riverstone an aesthetically pleasant floor and wall covering and substantially improves its functionality and resistance to abrasion

Abrasion (mechanical)

Abrasion is the process of scuffing, scratching, wearing down, marring, or rubbing away. It can be intentionally imposed in a controlled process using an abrasive...

.

The surface of the stones is completely free of paints or resins and it is treated with a waxy water-repellent that protects the material from stains

Stains

Stains is a commune in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the center of Paris.-Heraldry:-Transport:Stains is served by Pierrefitte – Stains station on Paris RER line D...

and makes it easy to maintain.

Properties

Riverstone has technical characteristic similar to those of marble and should be treated like marble when cutting, drilling or polishing it. However it can be purchased as slabs or tiles in a variety of different sizes and colours.

Uses

Natural stones absorb very little liquid and the resin is virtually impervious to liquids therefore Riverstone is suitable for any kind of wall and floor covering (including heated flooring) as well as kitchen worktops, vanity tops, bar fronts and tops. Riverstone is also translucent and can b backlit

Although Riverstone is an extremely versatile material its peculiar look and its high cost makes it an exclusive yet sought after material by architect and designers alike.