FAQ Friday: What Does 'Bookmatching' Slabs Mean?

"Bookmatched" refers to how the slabs are cut and polished at the factory.
When slabs are bookmatched it means that instead of polishing the same face of each slab, they alternate for them so that they open up like a book.  Thus the name.
Here's an example of Statuary marble in a bath.  All of the walls are made out of slab.  The seam is where the upside down 'V' is.  See how it opens up and mirrors itself perfectly?

Modern Bathroom design by Vancouver Home Staging Fluff Designs & Decor

Bookmatching can be expensive, as there is a large amount of waste.

Bookmatched slabs are usually used on feature walls, large islands and slab showers.
When we bookmatch the stone it's always fun to see what the design looks like.  It reminds me of abstract (and sometimes not too abstract) art.  We've seen the silhouette of a woman, animals, faces, hearts, just to name a few things.  

Photo: Hamilton Stone

Photo: Nuga Stone

Also keep in mind that not all stone can be bookmatched, it depends on the characteristics of the stone.  It wouldn't make sense to bookmatch Tropic Brown granite.
They are typically stones with strong veins and lines that create very geometric patterns that make your floor, walls or countertops much more interesting. 
Calacatta Gold (below) really shows it's beauty when bookmatched.

Photo: Art, Fired Earth and Stone Tiles blog

Via

 The factory that cuts and polishes the stone, needs to change the process when the slabs are bookmatched.  Instead of polishing the same face of each slab, they alternate for them to bookmatch. This obviously implies an extra cost for the factory, so it’s really only done with expensive stones that, given their naturally formed veins and lines, look beautiful bookmatched.
If you know you need your slabs to be bookmatched be sure to let your stone supplier know when you are selecting your slabs.  The supplier needs to verify that they give you the correct slabs that bookmatch each other.

Photo: The Stone Gallery

Photo: gpi Design