Dimension Stone is rock that was removed from its original site to be used (fieldstone) and rock that was broken, sawn, dressed and/or ground and polished (processed) for use as building and/or ornamental stone.

While most of the high-quality Dimension Stone produced in Arkansas is used in-state, some is shipped to markets worldwide.
 
Some Dimension Stone operations can produce blocks of stone weighing up to about 9 tons. Such large Dimension Stone blocks require specialized equipment for extraction and transportation. The manufacture of Dimension Stone remains a labor intensive industry.

A finished piece of Dimension Stone is an expensive product due to extra labor costs. This means that a piece of Dimension Stone which has been highly worked and/or polished costs more than a partially finished or rough block. Dimension Stone may be sold as rough block, sawn slabs, or finished product.

Durability, strength, and the ability of the Dimension Stone to take a polish are other important selection criteria. Although a variety of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks are used as Dimension Stone, the principal rock types are granite, limestone, marble, sandstone, and slate.

Other varieties of Dimension Stone that are normally considered to be special minor types include alabaster (massive gypsum), soapstone (massive talc), and various products fashioned from natural stone.