Why we love our Sonora Stars & Cross Cements

At Zia Tile, we have passion for all things Cement. Our Stars & Cross patterned tiles are inspired by traditional Moorish floor tiles. Sonora Stars & Cross Cements are perfect for bathrooms, showers, and flooring applications. They are also especially relevant for use in kitchen backsplashes, kitchen floors, powder rooms and outdoor patios. They are timeless, durable, and endlessly variable.

Where our Cement comes from.

The French and Catalans were the first to use the technique in the 1850's both in France and in Barcelona. The complex patterns used in the tiles are due to an interest in ancient cultures, most notably Moorish and Moroccan art. As a result, the tiles spread throughout Europe as a high quality flooring material and then onto former European colonies in Latin America, North Africa, and Vietnam.

How Zia Tile manufactures our Stars & Cross design

We make Cements like our Stars & Cross pattern by hand, one at a time, using mineral pigments, cement, a mold, and a hydraulic press. Our Stars & Cross tiles are unique and one of a kind, because each tile is subtly different from the next in shade and tone. The individual patterns are made by applying separate pigments, one by one, in a handmade brass mold. The process is incredibly delicate, requiring skilled artisans with years of experience.

Why we love Cement

Our Stars & Cross Cements are not fired in a kiln because there is no glaze layer on the surface of the tile. Instead, each piece has a pigment layer that is 2-3 millimeters thick, resulting in a tile that is incredibly durable, lasting well over a century. All our tiles come in an dynamic array of patterns, sizes, and 64 matte-finish colors to chose from.