Stone Journal

The Stone Journal is a collection of articles, videos, and slide shows about stone masonry, quarrying, and geology that we hope are of interest to our visitors.  Check out the items below and please send us anything that might be of interest.




  • Apr
  • 15
  • 2010

A Tribute to Hoddies

Posted in Videos

A video of a Bangladeshi brick hoddie carrying an enormous load on his head. Your unlikely to see it done like this in the U.S.

  • Mar
  • 1
  • 2010

Sandstones

Posted in Articles

Sandstones were generated in enormous quantities throughout geologic history. Why? And which sandstones are appropriate for stone masonry?

  • Jan
  • 25
  • 2010

Granites

Posted in Articles

Granites occur on every continent and have been quarried and used in buildings for millenia, but what are they really?

  • Dec
  • 16
  • 2009

The Stone Artistry of Lew French

Posted in Videos

A video profile of Lew French, an extraordinarily creative stonemason who works on Martha's Vineyard.

  • Dec
  • 1
  • 2009

Zak Zakovi Stone Sculptor

Posted in Slideshows

Zak Zakovi is a Montana artist who works in wood, ceramics, bronze, steel and most importantly, stone. This slide show represents a small selection of Zak's stone sculptures.

  • Nov
  • 24
  • 2009

The Stonemasons of Machu Picchu

Posted in Articles

An article by Kenneth Wright about the incredible stonework at Machu Picchu.

  • Oct
  • 22
  • 2009

Splitting Stone with Wedges and Shims

Posted in Videos

A video demonstration of splitting stone with wedges and shims by stone tool maker Trow and Holden.

  • Oct
  • 21
  • 2009

How To Build Drystone Walls & Rock Fences

Posted in Videos

A video by the National Center for Preservation of Technology and Training (NCPTT) concerning historical dry stone walls in the United States.

  • Oct
  • 6
  • 2009

Ten Basic Principles of Stone Masonry

Posted in Articles

Basic principles of stone masonry that lead to better looking walls, adapted from an article by Bobby Watt.

  • Sep
  • 24
  • 2009

History of the World from a Stone’s Point of View

Posted in Videos

An amusing video showing that stones exist on a whole different time scale than humans.