Name & Source for Brit Columbia "chrysanthemum stone"

I got a big slab years ago and would like more. It has snow white crystal bursts in a black matrix. If memory serves right, I believe it was from British Columbia (not the Japanese material). Thanks.

I believe you may be refering to porphyry....dark to black rock with feldspar crystals common name "Chinese Writeing" rock....it is found in California and I picked up one rockhounding in Oso, Washington a few years ago...have not seen any for sale recently...Good Luck..Mike

Peter;
There is quite a bit of the porphry you are looking for along many of the beaches along the east side of Vancouver Island. Most isn't jet black but rather dark green in color. I haven't heard it called crythanthenum stone, only flower stone or snowflake porphry. Just walk the cobble beaches and you should do ok.
Gord

One reference for "flower porphyry" I found was material from Vancouver Island, Salt Spring Island, Gulf Islands, but there could be other locations.

Good Luck with your search

regards,
stephanie

It's called chrysanthemum stone in Asian markets. Locally (in the NW) called flower stone, or properly: feldspar porphry. The feldspars nucleated from common centers (does anyone know what?), and grew outwardly in radiating laths.

There is quite a bit on beaches west and north of Sooke Harbor, BC.

Bob

Hopefully, a pic will appear in this post. I make 1911 grips. In the area of rock in this photo is Arizona picture wood, the Vancouver black & white rock, dino bone, jade, and wooly mammoth teeth. Fun materials.

Wow, nice stuff Peter

While vacationing on Vancouver Island in August 2009, I bought this piece from a funky little shop somewhere along the road from Port Alberni. It’s an unpolished slab, 19.0 x 8.5 x 1.5cm in size, and the bin was labeled “Texada Island, between Courtenay and Powell River”.



Given the range of possible BC locations already shouted out, I’d be cautious of definitively attributing a specimen on the basis of this picture alone – especially since it seems to be a slice of a river cobble that could actually have come from who-knows-where originally – but this may give you an additional perspective.


As a separate note, I’m happy to post this on the Texada Island locality, but am not sure the most appropriate tag for the galleries – feldspar porphyry? Chrysanthemum stone? I bought it as an interesting souvenir rather than something for my “formal” mineral collection, but can certainly add it to the database if it’s of use.

Cheers,
D.

For anyone interested in Chrysanthemum Stones, I highly recommend the 2010 book "Chrysanthemum Stones - The Story of Stone Flowers", by Thomas S. Elias and Hiromi Nakaoji. There is even a society dedicated to the study of such things; VSANA, the Viewing Stone Association of North America. (www.vsana.org)

The Japanese have been collecting viewing stones for centuries, and have an elaborate classification system. Google suiseki.

My sister grew bonsai, miniature trees, often placing them beside or growing them directly on suiseki. While hunting for minerals, I've found a few nice suiseki, and sent them on to her--but have not yet found any good chrysanthemum stones here in Montana. I think I'll head for British Columbia!

Ray

Looking for Japanese chrysanthemum stone fore.