Fire proof flagstones for hearth

[haveyouseenhim]

We have an open fire which the previous home owner had tiled the base with terracotta tiles. These have cracked from having fires and we are wanting to replace them with flagstones.

What I need to know is what type of flagstones we can use. Are all stones suitable for fireplaces or do the softer stones like sandstone crack?

Many thanks.

 

[Stivino]

Best asking a stone mason. The tiles round my hearth are all broken too, I'm waiting to have it re-done.
I have another fireplace with a big slab of pink granite as the hearth stone. A stone mason friend (now deceased) told me when he was laying it that it would split but, as the fire was more ornamental than to be used I got him to put it down. He was right, it cracked.