We finished 2022 looking at where natural stone worktops are sourced from and the inspiration behind the manufacture of quartz worktops. The first instalment concentrated on Europe, now we’ll end 2023 by looking more globally at the rest of the world. India and Brazil are the world’s leading exporters of granite, with a wealth of […]
We finished 2022 looking at where natural stone worktops are sourced from and the inspiration behind the manufacture of quartz worktops. The first instalment concentrated on Europe, now we’ll end 2023 by looking more globally at the rest of the world. India and Brazil are the world’s leading exporters of granite, with a wealth of variety in colour and pattern, that you would expect from such diverse regions.
India in depth
India is world-renowned as a source of precious stones. The famous Star of India sapphire is estimated to be 2-billion years old, so it follows that Indian geology is an abundant source of natural stones used for architecture and interiors. Indian granites cover a broad range of colours and patterns – everything from Steel Grey and gold-flecked Galaxy to Ivory Fantasy and Paradiso Classico are just a few examples.
Granites and marbles imported from India often lean towards the more extravagant, exotic end of the spectrum. Pale white Makrana marble, quarried near Rajasthan, was used for constructing the Taj Mahal and has been the inspiration for quartz manufacturers introducing a similar look to their ranges. Choosing a stain-resistant quartz over a highly porous marble is the main consideration. For pale quartz worktops with light, earthy tones delicately streaked across the surface – the choice includes Unistone Taj Mahal and Nile Quartz Taj Mahal Elagance. With similar pale earthy tones, CRL Savannah and Kalahari would work equally well, even though their origins lie in the dry, arid deserts of Africa.
Under African skies
Moving continents to explore Africa, the primary exporters of natural stone are Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia. Granite choices include Antique Brown, Angola black, blue and silver which when polished, all reveal the intricacy of the stone structure, with random flecks acting as colour highlights.
In quartz, comparable materials include Silestone Arden Blue & Stellar Night, Caesarstone Atlantic Salt, Taurus Black & Starlight Black, and Nile Nero Starlight.
Amazonian adventures
Crossing the Atlantic, we arrive in Brazil, exporter of some of the most eye-catching granites and quartzites. Exotic options such as Jade Green, Tiffany Blue Amazonite and Azul Boquira are verging on semi-precious, so use sparingly if budgets are tight! As a feature wall in a bathroom or shower room, they undoubtedly add more than a touch a luxury and glamour.
Of the quartz suppliers – CRL have come closest in replicating these with Cristallo Azure and Cristallo Verde.
For worktops, Marinace granites provide a unique design choice. Characterised through the formation of petrified riverbed pebbles, they are available in Marinace Rosso, Marinace Verde, Marinace Gold and Marinace Nero. With a more linear pattern structure, White Macaubus and Platinum Macaubus are lovely choices for more monochrome schemes.
If you are brave enough to go for strong colour and pattern, there are some truly out-of-this-world options. Black Tempest granite combines bold black & white patterns, with the subtlest of pale pink quartz veining. Iron Red granite or Volcano Quartzite, with its fiery shades of orange, red and black, will provide your project with enough colour to rival a Rio de Janeiro carnival!
Never mind around the world in 80 days, we can offer at least 80 colours! We’ll be pleased to explain the process of selecting natural stones or quartz – give us a call on 01869 324442 or email info@thegranitehouse.co.uk
