What type of stone is this?

[randomhacks]

Hi,

I want to lay a fire hearth. I've just visited a friends house and seen some stone that looks really good. Unfortunately, they didn't know what it was. Can anyone identify it for me?

Thanks,

James

Here are the photos:

Thanks,

James

 

[Burnerman]

Just a guess but it looks like slate to me!
John

 

[randomhacks]

Yes, that would be my guess too but I would have expected slate to be really dark. This was light / mid grey.

 

[Burnerman]

The colour can depend on where it comes from and how old and dense it is.....it's a good choice for a hearth but it does mark with grease splashes, wine dribbles (not just Chablis ) and candle wax, as I've found!
John

 

[jj4091]

Yes it looks like blue slate to me too, slate usually comes in what they call blue or green. Do you have any quarries locally?

 

[Chud]

Looks like slate to me but it could also be something like a fine-grained muddy limestone... hard to tell without seeing it in person.