Various kinds of abrasives are used for achieving smooth finishes on stone. These range from coarse and hard materials like emery to softer ones, like sandstone and pumice. These materials are rubbing across the surface of the stone, usually with water, to essentially grind down its surface. Carvers work from rough abrasives to finer ones, applying each in turn. Softer abrasives will provide a matt finish while for a really high gloss polish a carver will need to use a wide range of different abrasives right down to the finest grade. In the modern period artificial abrasives are used to achieve a high gloss polish.
