Island Stone didn't just invent pebble tile. We perfected it. For three decades, our pebble mesh tile has set the standard in an industry crowded with options. What began on a surf trip in Bali became a trailblazing commitment to a level of craftsmanship that simply can't be rushed or replicated.
This craftsmanship can never be matched because literally no two tiles are the same. Each pebble is individually selected from Indonesian quarries and hand-set in the tiles, with careful consideration given to how each pebble accentuates the other. Producing durable tiles using such small pieces of natural stone requires a rare level of craftsmanship, one that Island Stone has spent decades perfecting.
“Somebody who’s not familiar with pebble tile might look at another sample and think, ‘That pretty much looks the same,’” Island Stone Director of Business Development Nigel Eaton said. “But the difference that you get in terms of the consistency of stone size, the balance of color distribution, and most importantly, the seamless interlock which we’ve perfected over the years, makes a major difference for your end product.”
Island Stone interlocking pebble tiles shown in Cobbles Volcano Grey Tumbled, Random Motley Grey Tumbled, and Perfect Pebble Native Earth Blend.
The Difference You Can Feel
That seamless interlock isn't just about aesthetics. It's about creating a shower floor or walkway that feels right beneath your feet. The mesh-mounting techniques Island Stone has refined over decades prevent installation problems and ensure every tile flows smoothly into the next.
The financial case for using a generic product doesn’t add up either. Poorly assembled pebble tiles will not hold up well, especially in settings where they’ll have to endure the wear and tear of heavy foot traffic or exposure to the elements. And since most home and business projects use limited square footage, the actual cost difference is often minimal. The "savings" of installing a cheaper tile are negligible and will turn out to be a losing proposition when you compare product lifespans.
Old photo of the Island Stone production team hand-selecting and placing individual pebbles onto mesh backing.
Nothing But the Best
When Island Stone's natural stone tiles first appeared in showrooms 20 years ago, the imitators weren't far behind. As a young company of industry outsiders more concerned with craftsmanship than mass production, Island Stone faced a choice: compete on price with a lower-quality product, or stay true to what they'd built.
“Every time we delved into it, we realized it just wasn’t in our DNA,” Eaton recalled. “For years, we’d always focused on a premium quality product, but if you produce something that you know people will be unhappy with and will be a problem to install, it’s very difficult to straddle both sides of that aisle. You don’t want one product you can stand behind and another that you can’t.”
That commitment to quality is what drew David Tovar to Island Stone seven years ago. He was managing products for a competitor when an opportunity at Island Stone appeared. He'd admired Island Stone from afar: a business built on innovation and products that always came first. Tovar believes other companies fail to create products of Island Stone’s caliber because they don’t have the same attention to detail.
“We are very careful from sorting to packaging to manufacturing and everything in between, and that’s what sets us apart,” said Tovar, today Island Stone’s director of product management. “It translates to the product floor, to the quarries, our treatment of customers, and to the company culture as well.”
Old photo of the Island Stone production team in Bali placing individual pebbles onto mesh backing.
Culture Drives Quality
Choosing Island Stone means supporting a company built on respect for materials, for artisans, for sustainable operations. Island Stone is the gold standard for employees, with wages among the best in the industry and has been a valued contributor to the Indonesian economy where many operations are based.
The company has financially invested in longtime supply partners to help them start their own quarries, elevated female workers in traditionally male-dominated roles, and embraced the region's culture as part of the Island Stone story.
“We’re not just sort of trading from a distance like most importers do,” Eaton said.
That approach has resonated beyond Indonesia. Tovar recalled viewing Island Stone as a company ahead of its time, one that approached business the right way. When artisans take pride in their work, it shows in every product.
“When people talk about Island Stone, it’s clear they hold us in high regard,” Tovar said. “They say we’re professionals, we make cool stuff, and at the same time, we have fun and people have fun along with us.”
Island Stone Spindrift Marble Carrara pebble tile installed on a vanity wall.
Built for the Long Run
Natural stone pebble tile works beautifully in showers, bathrooms, outdoor pathways, pool surrounds; anywhere you need durability and timeless appeal. When you choose Island Stone, you're supporting artisan communities and bringing home materials that will stay beautiful for decades.
