Rock (Period)

A rock is an irregular mass of stone; it is also called a “stone”, though that usually implies a smaller mass.  When used as an independent charge, the rock is drawn lumpishly to distinguish it from a roundel.  Rocks are found in the canting arms of Pedrosa, c.1540 [Nobreza xvi].  When issuant from base, a rock becomes essentially a rocky mount.

A specific type of rock is the “flint”, used for striking sparks against a furison to start fires.  It was used as one of the badges of the Order of the Golden Fleece, 1430 [Friar 170; Volborth 216].  The flint is depicted as a rock with spurts of flame issuant from the sides, sometimes radiating across the field.

Millstone (Period)

Period armory gives us the “millstone”:  a large circular stone, turned by water power, used for grinding grain.  It forms the base of the mill; it’s rendered essentially as a diapered roundel, frequently charged with a millrind.  The millstone is a period charge, found in the arms of Spiser, c.1340 [Zurich 253].

Rocks come in many materials – basalt, marble, sandstone – so, strictly speaking, they have no “proper” coloration.  Nonetheless, there are a few instances of “rock proper” or “stone proper” in Society blazonry; these assume the rock is grey granite, and are treated as if they were argent.

See also dolmen (menhir), grindstone.

Hallmundr Grimsson bears:  Barry wavy azure and argent, a stone sable.

Piers Howells de Cambria bears:  Azure, an owl reguardant Or perched atop a rock issuant from base argent.

Juliana Neuneker Hirsch von Schutzhundheim bears:  Sable, a flint between four furisons in saltire, steels to center Or.