I don't get river rock in a fireplace, why would they be there. Some of the logs you can get now are so real looking that is what I would use.

Logs, definitely logs. If you were redoing a river in your house then I could see using river rock. Otherwise, logs.

River rocks or the popular glass burning fires you see today are quote modern looking, but can be used in any style of decor just to mix things up. But the style is certainly not rustic. Which ever way you decide to go, you can get everything you need online directly from Hansen Wholesale. Custom made screens like the one seen here are also available: http://www.hansenwholesale.com/gas-logs/?source=https://www.houzz.com/discussions/artificial-logs-or-river-rock-for-a-gas-fireplace-insert-dsvw-vd~955646

I say rocks

Logs. If you want the look of a fire, you need a fuel that actually burns.

Logs for sure. They can actually look very realistic

Since when do rocks burn? If you want a real looking fire then go to logs. If you want a modern looking obvious fake fire, go to rocks

RVCW, Elijah used wood, but had his servants pour water on the wood till there was water all around it before he called the fire down from heaven.

There are new driftwood logs. I would never burn driftwood...but then I would never put rocks in the firepit outside either... This is a nice modern look.

Oh yeah I also saw a gas fireplace with Swarovski crystals piled up with flames burning out of them. I guess for the people who have everything...

@hayleydaniels- So you're calling me out. eh? You don't think I did my research before I posted? ;-)

I Kings 18:38 "Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench." KJV

I don't think the fire that @prin2345 will kindle will be that hot; it only falls on special occasions.

RVCW, Sorry about that. I just googled it, and didn't read the whole passage as I should have. I'll be more careful next time, and make sure I read verses in context as a verse out of context is a pretext.

Wait....how did we get to texting? ;-)

I think jn3344's example is the perfect compromise. It's more modern than the traditional fake log look.

Love the Biblical references for authenticity...love all the Houzzers for their attention to details. Now, for the point of the historical record. Elijah's God was the true God based on the events of this burning sacrifice.

Not sure what the true topic is here, lol Personally, I think the rocks or glass have a classy look, unless you are talking about real logs instead. :)

I like them both but traditionally the logs are what I would normally go to...but I have to say that the rocks looks great too!

I like artificial logs. Using artificial firelogs is a reasonable alternative to burning real firewood. Firelogs have a unique contour on the top of the log to produce realistic-looking flames.

I think you should view both and pick your favorite. Personally, I like both and think either would look good in a rustic environment. Rock would probably go well with the "clean" rustic look you spoke of. My only question?....What is the surround/hearth of the fireplace made of? That would also be a deciding factor for me. I wouldn't want two different rock/stone applications to clash. Good luck with your fireplace! :)

As zazfuzzroc suggests, what your fireplace looks like might affect our suggestions. If you post a straight on picture of your fireplace taken from floor level, I can photoshop it show you how some of the options I posted earlier will look. I'm sure others would like to see what your fireplace looks like as well. Or, email your pictures directly to me at: gregt@hansenwholesale.com

Nothing says fake fire like fake logs. Go rock. Nothing wrong with a modern touch in rustic setting.

I'm have the same issue. We are redoing an old wood burning fireplace to gas and my husband hates fake logs. I'm not sure about rocks, but we are going to reface the front of the fireplace to a more contemporary look. I can't make my mind up?

Can you post some pictures of your fireplace here?

This is it. We are planning to remove the entire face and the slate seat area and either tile or used stacked slate up to the ceiling. I'm looking at pictures now.

Wow, the picture sure shows how ugly it is..

We are renovating this house and the floor in this area will be a medium walnut color hardwood. Our style is classic contemporary

Refacing the fireplace will make a big difference. Once that is done, we supply the finishing touches such as fireplace doors and gas burning appliance (glass, stones, geometric shapes or traditional gas logs).

We can help you through the design process as you can see below. Here is an example of how your fireplace would look with stacked black slate, gas burning geometric shapes and a clean looking fireplace glass door in a pewter finish.

Here are link to these resources:
Fireplace Glass Doors
Gas Burning Shapes and Glass

Once you have a better idea of the type of stone or tile you like, post that here and maybe I can show you how that would look on your fireplace. I would also suggest posting a picture of the fireplace so we can see the wall floor to ceiling.

log. all the way

Thank you! This is a great resource. I for sure don't want the bottom part of the fireplace, the slate seating area, hoping to remove that and have a flat wall so this is a good picture to help me make that decision for sure!

This is it, floor to ceiling. I think you pretty much nailed it with the stacked slate. The other option is rectangular rather large flat neutral gray tile. Of course wall color etc is all being changed..

the fireplace is amazing. midcentury. idon't agree with pro.. .lava rock or larger rocks perfect. contemporary. like the hearth for seating.. can paint but color is good too already.save ur money

I love comments to save my money! These houses here in north Vancouver are so expensive, and this house is very big so I would love to do just that and save my money! It makes me feel like what I've been doing these past eleven years with the living room has been right. But..with the new design to update to bring it inline to an even more contemporary look i want to do a littl more to to it. And definatly repaint. This house had additions put on it so its mismatch in style and needs to made consistent to bring it up to its worth.

i so appreciate the comments!

I used a length of anchor chain instead of 'logs'

Interesting! Can you post a picture?

Ellsworth-Hallett - please post a photo!

Lol, all comments about about needing logs or it's going to look like fake fire. If you don't think it looks real enough them stick your hand over the flame for 5 minutes. The combustible is gas so if you don't like fake why do you have a gas fireplace in the first place? You people stuck on the idea of a traditional gas fireplace like the one in Abraham Lincoln's log cabin crack me up.

And why limit yourself to Rocks or wood?!