BURR STONE - France
« backFRENCH BURR STONE
Fragment of stone used to make millstones
Fragment of stone used to make millstones
Marne Valley, Northern France
A fragment of quartz rock known as French burr stone (or buhr stone), from the Paris Basin. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was extensively quarried for the manufacture of millstones as it was particularly suitable for fine grinding due to its cellular texture and rough surface. It was exported to all parts of Europe and North America.
Unlike Derbyshire millstones, the French burr millstones were not cut from one piece, but built up from wedge-shaped sections cemented together and bound with iron bands.
The stone is relatively young. It is a variety of quartz that was formed in a freshwater environment in the Tertiary era.
Size: 8 x 5 x 4 centimetres
Weight: 134 grams