How is natural cleft pattern stone made?
Sawn into blocks and stood up
Sawn into blocks and stood up
Sawn into blocks and stood up
Diamond encrusted saws are used to cut the bedrock to the desired dimension. Then the blocks are lifted out and stood on edge.
If the seams within the rock are tight, the blocks may be left out to weather for weeks or months to allow the seams to open.
Split by hand along the seams
Sawn into blocks and stood up
Sawn into blocks and stood up
Once stood on edge, quarry workers use a hammer and chisel to split the rock open along the natural seams, exposing the texture (clefting) within the stone. Because each piece is split along these natural lines, thickness from piece to piece varies for natural cleft stone.
Clefting - Each piece is unique
Clefting - Each piece is unique
Clefting - Each piece is unique
The grain structure within bluestone is revealed when split along the natural seams.
Industry standard is that the bottom of a cleft should not be deeper than two quarters stacked on top of each other (1/8").
The clefting is what gives natural cleft NY / PA bluestone it's unmistakable beauty. Stone from other regions of the US or across the world comes in similar colors, but the texture of NY / PA bluestone is unique.
Stacked onto pallets
Clefting - Each piece is unique
Clefting - Each piece is unique
The stones are then stacked onto pallets. The pallets can be stacked with all the same size stones (solid pallet), with a variety of sizes (mixed pallet), or based on a template (kit).
Natural Cleft Standup / Flagstone / broken flag / irregular
How is it harvested?
How is it harvested?
How is it harvested?
"Standup" bluestone (AKA "Broken Flagstone" or "Irregular") gets its name from the way that the bluestone is shipped... standing up on pallets.
At the quarry, large pieces of stone are stood up vertically. Workers use a hammer & chisel to split pieces off along the natural seams. The pieces are sorted by color and thickness, stood up vertically on pallets and wrapped with chicken wire for shipment.
Our standup is sold by weight so you pay less for smaller pallets and more for larger. Beware of sellers that charge a standard price per pallet regardless of how much stone is contained within.
Coverage of a single pallet varies greatly depending on the thickness of the bluestone and the artistic preferences of the masonry professional who installs the bluestone. See below for ordering guidelines.
How is it used?
How is it harvested?
How is it harvested?
Pieces of standup are laid in a bed of sand or mortar like a jigsaw puzzle to make patios and sidewalks. Larger pieces are broken by hand to the shapes needed to fill the space.
This product is wonderful for projects where a rugged or historic look is desired. Standup is also available in thermal finish if consistent thickness and / or color is needed.
If the pieces shown in these images are too large / difficult to handle, the same product is available in smaller sizes.
From smallest average size to largest: Colonial, Natural Cleft Garden path, "Side by side" Steppers, Homeowner pallet standup, and Standard pallet standup. Details are found on the "Other Types of Bluestone" tab at the top of this page
The installation above was done by Stonescapes LLC www.stonescapesllc.com
Thickness varies
How is it harvested?
Available in Blue and Full Color
For natural cleft standup, standard is either 1" thickness range or 1-1/2" thickness range. 1/2" range is not normally available due to breakage. If 1/2" range standup is desired, we would suggest colonial instead (smaller pieces). See "other bluestone products" on the ribbon above.
As with natural cleft pattern, there will be variation in thickness from piece to piece because the stone has been split along the natural seams in the rock. Thicker pallets can be requested as well, just let us know what you need.
In the image above, 1-1/2" is on the left and 1" is on the right
Available in Blue and Full Color
Available in Blue and Full Color
Available in Blue and Full Color
As with natural cleft pattern, natural cleft standup is available in both full color range and premium blue color range. The image above has full color range on the right and blue range on the left.
Homeowner Pallets
Available in Blue and Full Color
Homeowner Pallets
Standup is beautiful, but for the courageous DIY-er the large size can make it rather difficult to handle. For those who don't mind a little mortar on their hands we offer homeowner pallets, standup pallets assembled of smaller pieces for getting that classic jagged look with easier handling and transportation.
Tired of being treated like you're just a number?
We give every customer the same level of dedication and care, regardless of purchase volume. Let us find the right stone for YOU!