Portland Stone - Decorative Stonework / Ornate Carving - Natural Limestone Carving

The stone is extracted from one of the largest mines on Portland and although there is no colour variation in the basic matrix of the stone, the shell content and texture of each bed will reflect the light differently, creating the eight variations of the stone. All beds of Portland Stone are suitable for carving, however, tighter stones such as the Basebed are particularly suitable for intricate carving.

Bowers Roach:

Contains large grey shell fragments that include Turreted Gastropods (Portland screws), as well as large clam shells. It has a large number of holes scattered throughout due to the removal of fossil shells by percolating rain.

Bowers Basebed:

Clean basebed that may contain small grey shell fragments that are randomly distributed across the stone.

Grove Whitbed:

Predominantly grey shells with some large white shell fragments, mainly large thin clams up to 100 mm long laid parallel to the bedding. Some banding is evident in larger slabs.

Fancy Beach Whitbed:

A moderately high shell content, which are predominantly grey. There are small voids throughout the slab and the texture varies.

Heritage Portland Stone:

The shells are randomly distributed across the stone, with some areas of low shell content and some areas of high shell content. Varied texture is evident across the slab.

Jordans Whitbed:

A medium shell content, mainly large, thin clams up to 80 mm long laid parallel to the bedding. The stone mellows over time to grey/ white due to grey and white fragments.

Jordans Basebed:

Fine grain Portland stone containing small grey shell fragments evenly distributed across the stone.

Ostrea Patch Reef Whitbed:

The shells are randomly distributed throughout the stone, including many large grey and white oyster shell fragments. It is typically coarse with some vuggy patches.

Stonehills Whitbed:

The stone has a low to medium shell content that are predominantly grey with some white fragments that are randomly distributed across the stone. Banding is evident, particularly in larger slabs.

Features and benefits:

• Creamy/ white in colour.
• Masonry units (>80 mm) manufactured in natural stone.
• Intricate designs.
• Uses the UK's most environmentally friendly techniques.
• From the Jordans/ Bowers mine and Stonehills mine on the Isle of Portland.
• Regularly assessed and accredited by the completely independent British Standards Institute.
• CE marked.