POLISHING
It is hard to define polishing. Even while a natural stone surface may have some sheen, it is not polished. There are several visible clues that describe a polished surface. Since there is currently no industry standard for defining a real polish, here at Integrity Stone & Tile Cleaning adhere to the following guideline.
Angle: The angle at which a person must stand with respect to a light source in order to see a reflection is what defines a polish. A surface that has been finished with 200 grit or less will still reflect light at a sufficiently wide angle. When one is far enough away from the light source, a huge matte-finished floor with lots of windows that let in plenty of natural light will reflect light. Here, the light streaming in from the windows.
Clarity: To what extent is the reflection's detail visible? It is typical to see a light source, such as a lamp or vanity light bar, when a surface has been polished, but can you notice the light fixture's detail in the reflection? Is it possible to read the lettering on the lightbulb in the stone's reflection? That explains everything clearly.
Depth: How far can one see while examining a detail by peering into the reflection? It is usual to see a window frame in the floor's reflection, but is it possible to see the specifics of what is on the opposite side of the window in the reflection? Is the three-dimensionality of the image it is reflecting revealed by the reflection? That is profundity.
In order to assess the degree of polish on your floor, ask yourself the following questions: How much detail can I see, how far away is that detail in the reflection, and how wide of an angle do I need to take from a light source in order to see anything at all?
The higher the grade of the polish, the narrower the angle and the more detail seen at a deeper depth within the reflection.