Porphyry consists of beautiful large-grained crystals dispersed through igneous rock – solidified lava or magma. Sourced in Northern Italy, the material is known for its unique rich colour tones created from volcanic actions that have occurred over thousands of years.

Used as a symbol of great prestige and majesty in ancient times, Porphyry has been discovered in great empires in Assyrian-Babylonian and important relics found on Egyptian and Roman sites.

Today, Porphyry has become the panacea of paving choice, due to its strength and resistance to wear. Because it’s incredibly hard, it is resistant to scratches and harsh chemicals.

The colour characteristics of the material depend on the level of iron content – Porphyry means ‘purple’ in Greek – and its purplish-red or greenish-brown swirled patterns have made it a popular choice over centuries as a hard landscaping material.

Here, the Hardscape team give three top tips on how best to work with Porphyry:

1. Porphyry is perfect for paving as its denseness makes it resistant to heavy weight – ideal for large areas with a high pedestrian foot-fall, such as a train station or shopping centre. It’s also a versatile material that can be used for any project or application.
2. Because of the compression process Porphyry undergoes when formed, it absorbs almost no water at all, making it resistant to cracking, as water can’t get in to freeze and expand. This trait makes it useful for wet areas, such as a public area containing fountains – plus it’s naturally slip-resistant.
3. With accurate working characteristics, such as precise edge cutting, Porphyry can be used to create striking designs, with intricate detailing. It is available in any size, as detailed or drawn, up to 800x1500mm, so there are no limitations to big project ideas. Quarried in Italy, Prima Porphyry undergoes a stringent selection processes, including independent industry recognised monitoring, to ensure performance, while retaining competitive cost value in the marketplace. Plus, it’s always ethically sourced.
4. Hardscape uses branded ‘Prima’ Porphyry, which retains all the advantages of the natural stone, with added quality and premium aesthetics.

Hardscape uses branded ‘Prima’ Porphyry, which retains all the advantages of the natural stone, with added quality and premium aesthetics.

Quarried in Italy, Prima Porphyry undergoes a stringent selection processes, including independent industry recognised monitoring, to ensure performance, while retaining competitive cost value in the marketplace. Plus, it’s always ethically sourced.