reprinted courtesy of ServiceMagic.com
This information can clarify
and help answer some questions.
Stone tile problems: Stone tile is made from real stone aggregate suspended in a polymer binder. It's a relatively affordable alternative to stone. Remember alll flooring tile should have a nonskid, stain-proof surface (if it's only stain-resistant, it should be sealed and routinely resealed for protection).
Intricate patterns, such as irregular edges, will be more expensive to repair and may require more materials and time to be completed.
If a stone tile is scratched, chipped or cracked or a stone discolored, it will probably have to be replaced, which often means pulling up the tiles around it (which risks damage to those tiles, too).
If the tile is loose, it just needs to be pulled up and put back in new grout. If your grout (the material put between tiles to finish the surface and seal against leakage) is discolored, you might want to try and bleach and scrub it clean. Otherwise, the grout will have to be ground out and replaced.
-- Tips courtesy of Service Magic