Bluestone
The popular blue-grey paving stone — usually basalt or andesite volcanic rock, depending on origin.
What is Bluestone?
Bluestone is a trade name rather than a single geological rock. What is sold as bluestone is usually a dark blue-grey basalt or andesite volcanic rock (Chinese bluestone, Australian basalt), though in some regions bluestone refers to a blue-grey sedimentary sandstone. In export manufacturing, Chinese bluestone commonly refers to the dark volcanic basalt quarried widely in southern China.
Color and finishes
Bluestone ranges from blue-grey to charcoal and near-black, often with subtle natural tone variation. Common finishes include natural cleft/split for a rustic, grippy surface; flamed or bush-hammered for non-slip paving; honed for smooth matte tiles; and polished for interior use.
Applications
Bluestone is one of the most widely used outdoor paving stones: garden and courtyard pavers, pool copings and surrounds (its non-slip surface is ideal around water), driveways and walkways, stepping stones and cube/cobblestones, steps and stairs, and exterior wall cladding. Its neutral dark tone suits both traditional and contemporary landscape design, and its density gives long life under weather and traffic.