Abstract Victorian Bluestone is proposed as a Global Heritage Stone Province from Australia. Numerous heritage stones occur within this province and of these Malmsbury Bluestone is suggested as a Global Heritage Stone Resource. Bluestone, an iconic basalt dimension stone from Victoria, is used domestically and internationally with a recognized heritage value. Sources are located in urban and country areas of Victoria some of which are still utilized for dimension stone. In many instances bluestone has superior technical characteristics, including durability, that surpass high-quality commercial sandstones, despite an architectural preference for lighter-coloured stones. These characteristics are matched by the diversity of significant uses for domestic, commercial and infrastructure purposes especially in Victoria. Notable examples include the Spotswood Pumping Station, Malmsbury Viaduct, the Graving Dock (Williamstown), Malmsbury Reservoir, St Patrick's Cathedral (Melbourne), Kyneton Railway Station and Ararat Gaol. If the bluestone used in pavements and drains is also considered, Victorian Bluestone could be described as Australia's most prominent infrastructure heritage stone. Bluestone use in Melbourne dates from the 1840s, in the other states of Australia and in New Zealand from 1873, with international interest from Asia between 1860 and 1880. The stone continues to be utilized widely around Australia and is also exported.

Abstract Trentino Porphyry is an igneous rock composed of rhyolitic–rhyodacitic ignimbrites. It belongs to the Athesian Volcanic Group, a widespread calc-alkaline magmatic association of Lower Permian age (280–270 Ma) occurring in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, north Italy. Extraction and processing are currently carried out in Trento Province, particularly in the region of Cembra Valley and its surroundings. Initially introduced for road setts throughout Trentino and Südtirol, Trentino Porphyry has progressively become one of the most important materials for paving and facing in Europe and all over the world, where it is appreciated and renowned for its durability. It has successively acquired an unquestionable versatility of application, thanks to a rare mix of mineralogy and textural and structural features, combined with excellent technical properties. Given the role played by this stone in almost any aspect of the area – cultural, architectural, production and social – it is proposed for candidacy as a Global Heritage Stone Resource.

Abstract Cadalso de los Vidrios leucogranite is extracted from the Sierra de Guadarrama (Spanish Central System) under the trade name ‘Blanco Cristal’. It is a fine- to medium-grained, hypidiomorphic and equigranular building stone that has been used in many heritage buildings, such as the Villena Palace (1534). The current annual production of Cadalso de los Vidrios leucogranite is approximately 8000 m 3 , of which 40% is exported around the world. It has been used in places such as the Vieux-Port in Marseille (France), Cork International Airport (Ireland) and the Puri EXIM Bank of Jakarta (Indonesia) among others. It is currently being used in the construction of the iconic tower of Jesus Christ of the Sagrada Familia Basilica, in Barcelona (Spain). Cadalso de los Vidrios leucogranite Blanco Cristal has excellent petrophysical properties, a uniform colour and good resistance to thermal shock and freezing temperatures. These qualities make Blanco Cristal an ideal material for monuments and buildings.

Abstract Drenov Grič black limestone is considered to be one of the most beautiful Slovenian natural stones due to its black colour interwoven with white veins. Over the centuries, it has been extracted from two major quarries located west of Ljubljana. One of these quarries has been declared a valuable natural feature of national importance and is protected as a natural monument. This well-stratified, Triassic (Carnian) micritic limestone occurs in 10–80 cm thick beds with thin marl interlayers. The limestone occasionally contains abundant fossil bivalves, gastropods and ostracods. It is relatively rich in carbonaceous and bituminous organic matter, which is responsible for the black colour of the stone. The stone has been widely used in Slovenian monuments. Many indoor and outdoor architectural elements have been constructed using this limestone, particularly during the Baroque period, which was known for its extensive use of black limestones in other European countries as well. The most significant use of this limestone has been recorded in sculpted portals and altars. Some important buildings, which were decorated utilizing this stone, have been declared cultural monuments of local or national importance. Use of this limestone was also documented in other European countries (Italy, Austria, Serbia) and worldwide (USA). When exposed to climatic influences, chromatic and salt weathering are recognized as the main deterioration phenomena for this limestone when used in monuments.