Patrick Garrison echoes this sentiment when he calls Tennessee Bluestone "an ideal stone for fabrication. We're able to bring it out in slab form, and it's ready to go." Besides its decorative use in mantels and hearths, the lengths of the slabs and their even thickness make it perfect for large scale outdoor projects. Patrick mentions in particular its suitability for hot tub surrounds and patios which require a particularly wide radius. He also adds that the uniformity of the stone layers "makes it much easier to estimate square footages."

While Pennsylvania Bluestone is quite well known for use in architectural elements and as a paving stone, Tennessee Bluestone stands to become just as prominent as more people learn about its availability and versatility. Jeff Clayborn proudly mentions two of the major projects that his family's quarry supplied stone for over the years - some of the original paving stone used at Dollywood when the amusement park was built in Sevierville, Tennessee in the mid-eighties and the swimming pool constructed for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

Now with Rocky Ridge Stone Company's ownership, the quarry stands poised to reach a still broader consumer base, especially as Rocky Ridge's business is growing at a steady pace. The firm has recently added clients in Colorado, Maine, and New Jersey, and being able to offer a unique, top quality product at an affordable price means that the company will only continue to grow and achieve a national reputation.

No matter how large Rocky Ridge may ultimately grow to be, what will not change is its commitment to local artisans, fabricators and local businesses.

Above and Insets: Tennessee Bluestone is ideal for flagstone flooring with longer slabs useful for one-piece hearths. In outdoor residential and commercial projects specifying natural stone, Bluestone and Rocky Ridge Stone offer durability and beauty for hardscapes and outdoor rooms.

Right: Stacks of Tennessee Bluestone sawn into flooring tiles show the beautiful, uniform thickness that make the slabs a favorite choice with fabricators and architects for both outdoor and indoor projects. Inset, Center Right: Outdoor kitchen with a mixture of Bluestone and Rocky Ridge flagstones.

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