Larvikite Obelisk (REF:LAROBE1)

Larvikite is named after the town of Larvik in Norway, where this type of igneous rock was originally found.

Larvikite is a relatively coarse-grained anorthoclase-rich igneous rock formed by ancient volcanoes around 298 million years ago. The distinctive silver/blue sheen is known as the Schiller effect and is caused by alternating layers of feldspar and plagioclase within the rock.

The main use of Larvikite is as a facing stone on buildings, it is also used to make decorative ornaments such as paper weights.

  

Lighter examples of this material sometimes have the trade name of "Norwegian Pearl Granite” with the darker variety known as "Royal Blue Pearl granite” although neither is accurate as this material is not specifically a granite.