Hearth for solid fuel stove

We are putting a stove into a fireplace in our kitchen/dining. I am having the kitchen continued to make a mantel over same. My question is the hearth - I don't really want to have a "proper" hearth made so to speak, I am looking for something raw/rustic and was thinking of just maybe putting down some sort of stone slabs/tiling.

For this I am wondering what would I be looking for. Would I have to obtain special heat resistant material - or could I treat some sort of stone maybe?

If anyone has done anything similiar I would be grateful for advice, or if anyone has done anything different I would love to hear your ideas.

Thanks, A.

I have used a slab of Liscannor Stone for the hearth in my sittingroom for a rustic look.

I have used brazillan quartz to line the chimney opening and for the hearth almost any stone as long as its natural will do the job - I have also fitted a solid fuel stove