the invention provides surface elements such as tiles or panels consisting of a thin lamina of natural stone bonded to a backing consisting of a multicellular paper core material of substantially greater thickness than said lamina which at least on the side remote from the stone lamina has a skin of tenacious sheet material bonded thereto . the resultant composite element is extremely rigid , light and cheap to produce in comparison with solid stone and may be cut into any desired shape and used as a substitute for solid stone , but with the advantages of lightness , strength and low cost thus enabling such surface elements to be used for many purposes where the use of solid stone would be economically or practicably prohibitive .