| Jerusalem stone is very popular for construction | | | | malleable when it is first pulled from the earth. |
| of large buildings. Since the founding of Jerusalem, | | | | Over time it hardens and is used in many edifices. |
| it has become extensively used in modern | | | | Most of the quarries are found in central Israel |
| buildings throughout the world. Most of it is mined | | | | which has been mined extensively for centuries. |
| in the area surrounding Jerusalem and Bethlehem. | | | | Many of the most famous buildings of Israel and |
| This highly sought after stone has a long and | | | | other Middle Eastern countries have been built |
| storied history in the Middle East and has been an | | | | using this white limestone. One of those |
| essential element in the building of many historical | | | | structures is the Western Wall. Its exquisite |
| buildings in the region. | | | | beauty aside, Jerusalem stone holds up to natural |
| Jerusalem stone refers primarily to a white | | | | erosion for centuries which is what makes the |
| coarse crystalline limestone, Meleke (kingly or | | | | demand for it as a building material very high. |
| royal). Though there are other sources of rock | | | | In the 1920s, Sir Ronald Storrs, the acting British |
| and stone that fall into this description. Mizzi Hilu | | | | governor of Jerusalem, formed the Pro-Jerusalem |
| (sweet rock) is a cream-colored limestone. Mizzi | | | | Society for the purpose of restoring the Holy City |
| Ahmar (red rock) is a red colored limestone. Mizzi | | | | which was at that point beginning to deteriorate. |
| Yehudi (Jewish rock) is a grey dolomite with a | | | | Part of this plan was to resurface all of the |
| crystalline structure. One other type of Jerusalem | | | | buildings in the city with Meleke, the golden stone. |
| stone is a flagstone made of thin layers of | | | | Sir Roland even went so far as to make it a city |
| limestone. | | | | ordinance that all buildings in the city must |
| The primary Jerusalem stone was formed during | | | | conform to. |
| the Late Cretaceous age. When it is first cut the | | | | The result has been a phenomenon known as |
| color is pure white. It will retain this color for | | | | Jerusalem of Gold which happens at sunset every |
| many years and then turns to a light golden color. | | | | day when the city's walls and buildings glow with a |
| It is used for statues and other stone creations | | | | golden light as the sun hits the Jerusalem Stone. |
| when it is first mined because it is soft and | | | | |