igneous
Flowerstone (Porphyry)
Porphyritic Andesite or Basalt
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Dark green to black groundmass with light-colored (pale green to white) phenocrysts; Luster: Dull to waxy when raw; Crystal structure: Porphyritic (large crystals in a fine-grained matrix); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.5-3.0
- Hardness
- 6-7 (Mohs scale)
- Luster
- Dull to waxy when raw
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 (Mohs scale); Color: Dark green to black groundmass with light-colored (pale green to white) phenocrysts; Luster: Dull to waxy when raw; Crystal structure: Porphyritic (large crystals in a fine-grained matrix); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.5-3.0
Formation & geological history
Formed from volcanic activity where magma cooled in two stages: first slowly underground to form large crystals (phenocrysts), then rapidly upon eruption to form the fine-grained matrix. Often originating from the Jurassic or Cretaceous periods in coastal volcanic belts.
Uses & applications
Used primarily for lapidary work, jewelry (cabochons), as decorative garden stones, and highly prized as 'Suiseki' (viewing stones) in Japanese culture.
Geological facts
Commonly known as 'Flowerstone' on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, because the light-colored feldspar crystals often resemble petals or flowers frozen in the dark rock.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by looking for the distinct 'spotted' or 'flowered' pattern on smooth, water-worn cobbles, typically found on rocky beaches or in riverbeds. Notable locations include Texada Island and Vancouver Island.
