There's a several year waiting list to be one of the 170 or so vendors in the Philadelphia International Flower Show's Marketplace, but Robert Wertz, owner of Hampden Township's Igneous Rock Gallery was extended a special invitation into this year's lineup.

 If you've never seen his products, they're pillars of beautifully colored volcanic basalt from Washington State, bored out in the center to become bubbling skinny fountains.  They're often used in Zen-like triangular groups of three.  Different minerals in the water caused the unique coloring.

"The stone is limited to just one area and is not known anywhere else on Earth," says Wertz, whose show booth won an honorable mention award.

 Besides fountains, the rock is used in making candle holders, table lamps, low voltage light pillars and smaller table top fountains.

 Photos are at www.igneousrockgallery.com , and samples are on display at the shop at 4702 Carlisle Pike, Hampden Township.

-George Weigel