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What is the difference between ceramic stones and ceramic water stones?

This is definitely a source of confusion for people looking through the available types of sharpening stones. While ceramic stones and ceramic water stones sound similar, they are not the same thing. In our Sharpening Glossary we define the two types of stones like this:

Ceramic Stone - also called the Ceramic Honing Stone or Ceramic Sharpening Stone. A stone manufactured as a fused block or rod of ceramic material. Ceramic Stones are very hard wearing and usually used dry, without oil or water as a cutting fluid. Available in medium, fine and ultra fine grits that correspond to roughly 600, 1200, 2000 grit respectively. Ceramic Stones are not the same as and should not be confused with Ceramic Water Stones.

Ceramic Water Stone - a specific type of Water Stone, a Ceramic Water Stone is a composite ceramic product in which individual pieces of ceramic abrasive material are held together with a binder. They are used with water as a cutting fluid like other water stones, however they are harder wearing than other water stones and do not require soaking prior to use. Avaliable from 122.2 micron/120 grit through .49 micron/30,000 grit. Ceramic Water Stones are not the same as and should not be confused with Ceramic Stones.