www.norstoneusa.com Have a look here and contact me if you like this look. Thanks Ross Sales manager, Norstone usa 407-378-4175 Here is a link that might be useful: Stacked stone for fireplace

I really like oakleyoak's pic, too. We are in the process of completing our own fireplace. I would think rustic fieldstone (mortared) would give a nice old world look. Or you could try a stone done in a dry stack effect (just looks like stones stacked on one another). But the mortared irregular fieldstones might give a nice effect. Our own fireplace is very rustic but with a different look. We have a raised hearth and used shadow ledgestone done in a dry stack (no mortar), it is a stone veneer and looks very rustic. Surrounding the firebox we have tumbled multicolor slate tiles, then an oak mantel/surround in a craftsman style. The drywall above the mantel is tapered back to the other walls. Hope this helps. Amy

You know, Joseph. I kind of figured that might be the case. I kinda thought I'd ask the contractor to *try* to save it, and if it crumbles, well, so much for that. I don't really know what I'd *do* with it anyway, and I have been trying hard to fend off any hoarding tendencies (I am, after all, a single woman living with cats...)

It's probably some sort of tile manufactured with natural stone.