The Color of Cotswold Stone
The color of Cotswold stone varies depending on where it is quarried and how it is exposed to weathering. Generally, it ranges from pale cream to golden yellow to honey brown.
The color is influenced by several factors:
- The composition and purity of the original shells and sediments
- The amount and type of iron oxide minerals present in the rock
- The degree and duration of oxidation (rusting) caused by air and water
- The presence or absence of lichens or mosses growing on the surface
Some examples of how these factors affect the color are:
- The stone near Bath is lighter than that near Cheltenham because it contains less iron oxide
- The stone on south-facing slopes is darker than that on north-facing slopes because it receives more sunlight
- The stone on roofs is lighter than that on walls because it gets washed by rain more often
- The stone on older buildings is darker than on newer buildings because it has been exposed to weathering longer.
