Colours

Reigate Stone has a variety of different shades. It has generally been described as greenish grey, but it can be helpful to identify variations within this spectrum.

Variations can indicate different mineralogical content. This can be linked to physical properties such as hardness and cohesion, which in turn correlate with resistance to decay processes. Although mineralogical variations can be linked to provenance, research is limited and there are no definite indicators.

Variations in lightness can also indicate different moisture content, which can be linked to exposure and vulnerability to decay processes.

The selection of photos on this page groups Reigate Stone into three different colours. This can be helpful to make generalised assessments, when for example identifying different mineralogies, and distinguish between extremes, for example during repeat surveys in different weather conditions. These are not definitive categories and there will be variation within, and overlap between, separate groups.

More likely to contain higher quantity of calcite, which can make the stone harder. 

More likely to contain higher quantity of glauconite. Glauconite content is linked to the presence of swelling clays, which can make the stone more prone to moisture related decay.

Some Reigate Stone is darker green or even slightly purple. Different shades of green may reflect different maturity of glauconite formation. Darker shades may also indicate high moisture content.

Previous page (Identifying Reigate Stone)

Next page (Deposits)

 

colour variation

Different Reigate Stone colouration due to mineralogical variation

colour variation

Different colouration due to moisture content variation