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Episodes 2015; 38(2): 85-90

Published online June 1, 2015

https://doi.org/10.18814/epiiugs/2015/v38i2/003

Copyright © International Union of Geological Sciences.

Petit Granit: A Belgian limestone used in heritage, construction and sculpture

Dolores Pereira1, Francis Tourneur2, Lorenzo Bernáldez3, Ana García Blázquez1

1Dept. of Geology, Plaza de la Merced s/n, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain. E-mail: mdp@usal.es
2“Pierres et Marbres de Wallonie” ASBL, Rue des Pieds d’Alouette, 11, B-5100 Naninne, Belgium. E-mail: francis.tourneur@pierresetmarbres.be
3La Soledad 7, 4C, 37001 Salamanca, Spain. E-mail: lorenzo.bernaldez.villarroel@gmail.com

Received: September 7, 2014; Revised: October 1, 2014; Accepted: October 1, 2014

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Petit Granit is a Carboniferous grey-bluish crinoidal limestone that becomes shiny black when polished. The rock is known under several other names including Pierre bleue (Blue stone), but it should not be confused with other natural stones having a similar commercial name, which are superficially similar limestones. It consists of around 96% microcrystalline calcite and a high proportion of fossils, mainly crinoids. In addition some dolomite, quartz, pyrite, marcasite and fluorite are present. Around fifteen quarries are currently active, employing almost one thousand people and thus is an important part of the natural stone economy in Belgium. Petit Granit has an Appellation d’Origine Locale (Local Appellation of Origin) designation since 1999. It has been extracted in several regions of southern Belgium since the Middle Ages.
The stone characterizes many façades of the urban architecture of Brussels and other Belgian cities, and since the second half of the 19th century it has been used in various countries elsewhere in Europe and overseas. Its high density and uniformity mean that it takes an excellent polish and thus has versatile use as a dimension stone. Petit Granit has also been used widely in sculpture and architecture by several well known artists. However, deterioration has been observed when it has been used for exterior purposes, and appropriate measures need to be taken to prevent this. This stone can be considered as a possible candidate for Global Heritage Stone Resource nomination in Europe for its prominence and value both in construction and artistic uses.