Paste-polished architectural concrete is concrete that has been very lightly ground with only fine sand exposure and some finishing marks present upon completion.
Sand polished includes average-sized sands with occasional partial exposure to larger aggregate. This is considered the standard exposure level when polishing concrete due to the removal of some deficiencies coupled with the final appearance.
Stone polished has a deep grind look similar to a coarse terrazzo floor, with a cross-section of the top-sized aggregates visible on the concrete surface.