More than two thirds of all curling stones originate from this tiny volcanic pug.
Trefor vs ailsa craig granite.
Harvesting between 1600 tons of ailsa craig common green granite and 400 tons of ailsa craig blue hone granite is an operation that takes place as required.
Curling stones are made from three types of quartz free granite.
Canada curling stone co another manufacturer uses a welsh granite referred to as blue trefor for the body of the stone though it uses ailsa craig granite for the running band repurposed from older stones according to kimberly tuck who works for the company and is a curler.
Trefor is more durable than ailsa craig blue hone and so is better suited for crashing and banging but ailsa craig blue hone is less porous and better suited for sliding on ice.
Blue hone ailsa craig common green both found on ailsa craig island and trefor which can be found in the trefor quarry of wales.
2 000 tonnes were harvested sufficient to fill anticipated orders until.
Ailsa craig is also the world s major supplier of a rare type of micro granite with a highly interlocked finely grained mineral structure free of quartz which is used to make stones for the sport of curling.
The granite is then transported to the mainland by boat to be stored in our secure facility until we start the process of transforming the granite boulders into the finished curling stones.
Ailsa craig and the trefor granite quarry in wales.
Kays of scotland has been making curling stones since 1851 and has the exclusive rights to the ailsa craig granite granted by the island s owner the marquess of ailsa.
The other being the trefor granite quarry in wales.
Ailsa craig common green granite has been reintroduced in new stones in recent years but the amount of impurities in much of this newly gathered ailsa craig common green granite will develop pot holes in the strikeband area that will rapidly increase in size with frequent use resulting in a much shorter life span for stones made from this new.
As of 2004 60 70 of all curling stones in use were made from granite from the island and it is one of only two sources for all stones in the sport the other being the trefor granite quarry in wales.
Even today 60 70 percent of all curling stones comes from granite extracted from alisa craig.
The last harvest of ailsa craig granite by kays took place in 2013 after a hiatus of 11 years.
Not only do but the supply of rock available is far greater.
