Flowerstone cabochon by Tommy Lay.
Flowerstone (also known as Chrysanthemum Stone, Snowflake Stone and is similar to Chinese Writing Rock and Rice Rock) is a gabbro porphyry of feldspar crystals usually in basalt that shows a distinct flower pattern.
When the feldspar crystals are well-developed, Flowerstone is a rock unlike any other. Its crystal petals bloom and reflect the beauty of British Columbian nature. They are thought to have blossomed in an explosion, creating the flower shape of the crystals bursting in all directions.
Flowerstone is found only in some places on Vancouver Island and in Japan. Texada Island was known for its supply but has since put a moratorium on mining it. It is still permitted for rockhounders to remove Flowerstone by hand but is found very rarely.
Flowerstone ranges in crystal development. Classic pieces are flurries of white flowers on a black background, but some have just a few flowers on a gray background, some have flowers in different colours and some resemble pieces of rice, snowflakes or lettering.
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Found a lovely variety of colors and sizes on Saratoga Beach, Vancouver Island.
Can you polish flowerstone or is it too soft?
It polishes very well
How? Mine spent over a month in tumbler.
I tried but none came out nice. Think I will have to varnish. Unless someone has a better idea….. please!!!
Has to be mechanically polished not tumbled
I give most of my rocks a quick spray of Krylon matte clear coat!
Then they always appear like when you found them wet.
p.s. put them on waxed paper to spray, when dry turn over & repeat, use a light hand or they’ll sit in a puddle of spray
Also, I’ve found mine in Vermont
Hi I am interested
I have found some here in Alaska!!! Can you polish it??
Yes you can polish it
Hi Christy,
Amazing! Pictures to share?
I found some flowerstone on Whidbey Island at Ebey Landing.
It’s my treasure😊
ruthrogers50@comcast.net
I have a mine of jade flower stone.
If some one interested
Pls contact with me
Khanantik@yahoo.com
I found a beauty near shawnigan lake on Vancouver Island. Thinking they may have spiritual significance. I had an out of body experience falling asleep last night with the stone beside me. Maybe a coincidence, but that hasn’t happened to me for many years.
I found a one in Alaska as well.
Its a bit different but looks the same.
It’s is a basalt, it can’t also be a gabbro; one or the other please. It is a aphanitic with feldspar phenocrysts.
I found the mother load on texada island,
Gus, would you be willing to contact me about this? I’d like a small specimen for my collection. box2850@hotmail.com
Can you tell me where , we are going this week to Texada to search for them
Ah this is the million dollar question,message me ckallergis@hotmail.com
I found mine in Arizona in my neighborhood in phoenix
Yes you can tumble it as well, mine came out very nicely
I have a couple of nice flowerstones. One is quite large. Where would a person sell these? Thanks.
My papa used to find these, and polished them simply by pressure washing them. Worked like a charm to get them all smooth and nice
Flowerstone porphyry found on Tulameen River near Princeton BC 2023 by Bill