Well school is finally out (I'm a teacher) and I'm eager to get started on building a nice stone hearth for my stove. I have a few questions before I get started though. My main question is what kind of stone? I know that much of that is all what you like but what I'm worried about are cracks. I've put some big stones around outside fire pits before and been amazed at how a large heavy stone seems to crumble after a summer of campires. I obviously don't want that. Are there specific stones that are better than others and conversely stones that absolutely shouldn't be used? My thinking is to go with heavy stones that will retain the heat after the stove winds down in the early morning hours.