Porphyry Museum

The Story of Sweden’s Diamond

Porphyry has been used for both decorative and functional objects for 3,000 years. In 1788, Älvdalen’s Porphyry Works started and a fantastic unique art industry took shape.

Learn more about Dalarna’s diamond – Älvdalen porphyry! Porphyry has been used for both decorative and functional objects for 3,000 years. In Sweden, porphyry was known at the end of the 17th century. During the first half of the 18th century, Älvdalen porphyry was discovered. In 1788, Älvdalen’s Porphyry Works started and a fantastic unique art industry took shape. Today, we preserve the memory by telling the story of porphyry, Dalarna’s diamond, and the history of porphyry in Älvdalen.

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Älvdalen Porphyry

About 1.7 billion years ago, Älvdalen porphyry was formed during massive volcanic eruptions. Ash with temperatures up to 900°C was hurled up from the earth’s interior. The ash was compacted and formed high mountain ranges. Sun, wind, water, and ice ages have worn down the mountains and spread out the porphyry. Today, the highest porphyry mountains are barely 600 meters high.

Porphyry consists of quartz colored by various metals and minerals in shades between red and black. In the dense stone mass, there are grains of feldspar and quartz. Pumice stone and unmelted rock have been compressed together, forming flow structures. The colors, patterns, and hardness have made porphyry mythical from ancient cultures around the Mediterranean to our days.

Contact

Email: info@rockdale.se
Phone to the museum: 0251-314 02

Opening hours Winter/Spring 2025

Opening hours: Saturdays 10 AM – 3 PM

Opening Hours Summer/Autumn 2025

Weeks 20–25: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 AM – 3 PM.

Note!
June 1–8: Hagström 100 Years Anniversary Week – Special opening hours:
• June 1–4: 10 AM – 3 PM
• June 5–7: 10 AM – 5 PM
• June 8: 10 AM – 3 PM
Midsummer’s Eve, June 20, 2025: Closed

Weeks 26–32: Daily, 10 AM – 4 PM.

Weeks 33–39: Wednesday–Sunday, 10 AM – 3 PM.

From week 40: Saturdays, 10 AM – 3 PM.

Group bookings available year-round

Entrance fee

Adults: SEK 80 • Students & seniors: SEK 70 • Free entry for visitors under 18

Season ticket (annual): SEK 200

Weekly pass – Hagström Anniversary Week
June 1–8: SEK 150

The admission fee also includes entry to the Hagström Museum.

Part of Culture Route Dalarna – unique cultural attractions in Dalarna.

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