Our pool was completed about a month ago so some of your questions I can't answer. We used TN varigated fieldstone. I'm in Jax, FL, so obviously you'll use whatever is in your region. I've read too about flagstone & SWG but the only conclusion I've come to is the people who build pools in TX & are using OK flagstone don't install SWG. Maybe that stone has had issues after awhile being exposed to salt??? I had the option to go with faux stacked stone or the real thing. In my opinion, there isn't a comparison. Real stone is beautiful. It took the installers 3 weeks to complete all of my stone work but it was well worth he wait. I would keep looking if you haven't found anything your loving. Does the stoneyard have other locations? If so, see what they carry. My stoneyard has another location about 45 min away & their selection was different than the one close to my house. Here is a link that might be useful: Stacked stone pictures of our pool

Yep! Gopher it. Use thinset, or GEII silicone for your adhesive. Grout and seal. I've done lots of them..all using stained glass scraps.

Well, it started out as a plate with a picture of a sun with a face on it. i pictured it broken and re glued to a larger plate and then grouted and hung up under my lean to potting shed. I was looking all summer for a microwave carosel plate, at a yard sale or flea mkt and couldn't find one. So I bought a large clear plate and started by breaking the 'sun' plate. Now it appears that the clear plate is not quite as flat as it seemed. That is why i asked about the stepping stone. I even saved all the edge pieces to place around the edge and have one more of the 'sun' plates to break for egde pieces. All I need to do is break a red plate and a blue plate for the fill in....and decide what way to go... decisions ....decisions...Oh- I have done a few door stops out of bricks and tiles and then grouted them. They turned out pretty good. But they were only for indoor use.That was my first use of nippers. Makes hands hurt.

You have to seal it. It is your choice if you want to use a color enhancing seal or not. The color enhancing seal will leave that wet look. We did on our travertine and it looks great.