Iyidere Pileki Stone

Iyidere Pileki Stone is a type of volcanic stone extracted from the Iyidere Cave, located within the boundaries of the Iyidere district in Rize Province, Türkiye. It has a basaltic origin, a porphyritic texture, and high heat resistance. It was officially registered as a geographical indication on 24 July 2024, with the registration type designated as a geographical indication mark. The application was submitted on 12 April 2021 and assigned registration number 1618. The application was filed by the Iyidere Subgovernorship, and the geographical indication registration is limited exclusively to the Iyidere district.

^{The Cave Where Iyidere Pileki Stone Is Extracted (}Black Sea Culture Inventory⁾

Iyidere pileki stone is a magmatic rock classified as basaltic-andesitic tuff, characterized by a gray color and porphyritic texture. After extraction from the cave, it is manually carved and shaped into various cooking utensils according to its intended use. This stone type is distinguished by its resistance to high temperatures and is subjected to heating and hardening at elevated temperatures prior to use.

Iyidere pileki stone is processed into different forms depending on its intended use. The main product types are as follows:

• Bread Pileki: Made from full stones with a diameter of 40 cm. It has a thickness of 3–4 cm and a depth of 4–6 cm.
• Herring Pileki: Made from quarter stones with a diameter of 25 cm. It has an elliptical shape, one sloped side, and a low rim with a hole. It measures 2–3 cm in thickness and 3–5 cm in depth.
• Frenk Oven / Clay Pot: Made from kotluk stones with a diameter of 50 cm. These stone vessels have handles on both sides and a stone lid. They are 4–5 cm thick and 6–8 cm deep.

The stone blocks used in production are classified by thickness as quarter (25 cm), full (40 cm), and kotluk (50 cm).

^{Iyidere Pileki Stone Pot (}Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Türkiye⁾

The chemical and mineralogical properties of Iyidere pileki stone are as follows:

• SiO₂: 48–48.03%
• Al₂O₃: 17.85–17.89%
• Fe₂O₃: 9.55–9.58%
• CaO: 4.31–4.35%
• MgO: 5.48–5.40%
• K₂O: 4.5–4.7%
• Na₂O: 5.25–5.27%
• LOI (Loss on Ignition): 4.74–4.75%

• K-feldspar: 26.5–26.9%
• Plagioclase: 16.7–17%
• Diopside: 15.4–15.5%
• Analcime: 30–30.5%
• Klinoptilolite: 2.9–3.5%
• Vermiculite: 2.9–3.5%
• Volcanic Glass: 4.7–5%

The dominant minerals include zeolite group minerals (particularly analcime and klinoptilolite), K-feldspar, plagioclase, and diopside. Minor amounts of vermiculite and volcanic glass are also present.

The production of Iyidere pileki stone is carried out from basalt units embedded in a pillow lava structure within the Iyidere Cave. The process is performed by experienced master craftsmen under expert supervision.

Traditional tools used include:

• Round Compass: Used to determine the stone’s diameter.
• Rimit: A double-ended pointed hammer used to extract the stone from the cave.
• Külünk: A chisel with one pointed end and one curved end, used to shape the stone.

The master identifies stones of appropriate thickness, marks their outline, and extracts them using the rimit with balanced force. Once removed from the cave, the stone is shaped using the külünk. Each master leaves a personal mark (craftsman’s signature) on the underside of the stone they produce.

The entire production process must take place within the boundaries of the Iyidere district, specifically in the Iyidere Cave. The extraction, shaping, and heat-hardening of the stone require specialized local knowledge, techniques, and craftsmanship. A direct link exists between the product’s reputation and its geographical origin.

The production process is monitored under a system coordinated by the Iyidere Subgovernorship. The monitoring board consists of one representative from each of the following institutions:

• Iyidere Subgovernorship
• Iyidere Municipality
• Iyidere District National Education Directorate
• Iyidere District Agriculture and Forestry Directorate
• Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, Department of Civil Engineering
• S.S. Iyidere Agricultural Development Cooperative

Inspections are conducted at least once annually. Additional inspections may be carried out as needed or upon complaint. Inspection criteria include extraction from the cave, compliance of product dimensions and thicknesses, adherence to traditional production methods, and correct application of the marking system (logo, inscription, geographical indication emblem). External experts or service providers may be engaged when necessary.

The product or its packaging must bear the inscription "Iyidere Pileki Stone", the product logo, and the geographical indication emblem. When direct application to the stone or packaging is not feasible, these elements must be prominently displayed within the production facility for easy visibility.