A geological study of Bouquet Canyon Stone
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| Bouquet Canyon Stone Company quarry rock is
classified geologically as sericite schist. Regionally it is included in
what is known as the Pelona Schist but has its uniqueness. It's
variable-tone blue grey, gold color, very flat planar surfaces and tough
structural integrity (compressive strength: 12,000 psi perpendicular to
planar surfaces), and wide size range availability make it an ideal
decorative stone with many architectural and landscaping applications. The unique visual and strength characteristics of Bouquet Canyon's stone is attributable to its composition of very flat, fine mica crystals in a network of thin layers (0.5-2mm.) alternating with fewer and slightly thicker (1-2mm.) composite layers of feldspar and mica combined. The thin layers are bonded together by the interleaving crystal laminae that prevents the flaking that occurs in similar stone, thus it's shear strength. When the stone does break it tends to shear parallel to and along the aligned, flat mica surfaces. This allows stonemasons to split the rock into platelike slabs and can be further shaped by sawing, if desired. The stable mineral composition of the stone makes it highly resistant to the effects of weathering, chemicals, erosion and traffic wear. Bouquet Canyon's stone differs from other locally available similar stone by it's higher compressive strength, more uniform splitting ability, and less obvious iron oxide staining coloration. Thus came the trademark "Golden Rock." These differences make the product more workable resulting in less waste and won't discolor mortar. |
