Gabbro

Listed in our range under Granite.

Aracruz Black

Aracruz Black is a classic Brazilian gabbro from the Aracruz region in Espírito Santo with an evenly deep black ground mass and fine silvery white plagioclase speckling. Also traded internationally as Nero Aracruz, Preto Aracruz and Nero San Marco; used for kitchen worktops, bar counters, floors, wall cladding, external façades, pool coping and memorials with a classically elegant black character.

Aracruz Black is petrographically a gabbro (a plutonic igneous rock with a high plagioclase and pyroxene content) from Aracruz, Espírito Santo, but is listed in the trade as granite. The exceptionally low water absorption (0.07 %) distinguishes the stone from other black granites.

Gabbro Brazil

Available as: Slabs

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About Aracruz Black

Aracruz Black lives on a classically elegant deep black material effect with unusual evenness. The ground tone is a rich, almost lacquer-black anthracite black, shot through with fine-grained silvery white plagioclase speckles and occasional dark grey mineral points. The distribution is exceptionally even — Aracruz Black is among the most consistently uniform black granites in the worldwide range. Unlike more expressive black granitic rocks such as Star Galaxy (with golden mica points) or Cosmic Black (with grey bands), Aracruz Black stays quiet and neutral in its slab pattern — a timelessly classic stone that does not polarise but works as an elegantly dark background. On a polished surface the stone develops a mirror-smooth black depth with subtle silvery light reflections from the plagioclase minerals — a classic premium black look.

Geologically, Aracruz Black is a gabbro from the Aracruz region in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. Gabbros are plutonic igneous rocks with a high proportion of dark mafic minerals (pyroxene, olivine, plagioclase) — they solidified slowly deep within the earth under high pressure. The plagioclase component makes the stone particularly receptive to polishing and provides the fine silvery accents of lustre. The water absorption of only 0.07 % is exceptionally low — one of the densest values among the black hard rocks traded worldwide — and makes Aracruz Black particularly suitable for external applications and areas with water contact. In international trade, gabbro is traditionally carried within the granite family; Aracruz Black runs under several synonyms: Aracruz Black, Aracruz Black Granite, Nero Aracruz Granite (Italian), Preto Aracruz / Aracruz Preto Granite (Portuguese), Black Aracruz Granite (English), Negro Aracruz Granite (Spanish), Granito Negro Aracruz and Nero San Marco Granite. At ROSSITTIS we classify Aracruz Black, as is customary in the trade, as a granite. Espírito Santo is one of the world's most productive regions for Brazilian gabbros — related materials such as Mystic Grey and other classic black granite trade stones come from this region.

Technically, Aracruz Black shows the robustness characteristic of Brazilian gabbros. The water absorption of 0.07 % is exceptionally low — one of the densest values among all commercially traded natural stones. Typical bulk densities of Brazilian gabbros lie at 2,900-3,000 kg/m³, compressive strength at 200-260 MPa, flexural strength at 12-20 MPa. Mohs hardness is 6. The stone is therefore acid-resistant (unlike marble or limestone), cut- and scratch-resistant, frost-resistant and well suited to heavily used applications. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar or acidic bathroom cleaners leave no etch marks. The fine-crystalline compact structure and the high plagioclase component also make the stone very receptive to polishing — on a polished surface the black ground tone develops an almost mirror-like depth.

At ROSSITTIS we carry Aracruz Black as an unsized slab for kitchen and bathroom worktops, bar counters, wall cladding, fireplace surrounds and prestige statement surfaces, in tiles for floor and wall applications, as tread and riser for stairs, and as window sill, skirting, fountain element, memorial stone and for project-specific cutting. The stone is also ideally suited to external façades, pool coping and external terraces — the exceptionally low water absorption makes it a premium choice for pool and water-contact applications. The surface finishes currently held in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Compared with classic black granite classics such as Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe (evenly deep black with a finer mineral distribution, a premium classic) or Star Galaxy (black with golden mica points), Aracruz Black brings a similarly consistent deep black ground tone with silvery accents — a widely accessible alternative to Nero Assoluto. Compared with Black Pearl (an Indian syenite from Gurajapally with a pearl-like shimmer), Aracruz Black is more even and quieter in slab pattern, without the characteristic pearl effect. For classically elegant black architecture — modern kitchens, bathroom areas, hotel lobbies, restaurants, memorials, pool areas and external façades — Aracruz Black is a very widespread and readily available choice among the classic black Brazilian granites.

In stock

Current availability from our warehouse.

59 slabs in stock · plus 16 blocks

Thicknesses: 2–3 cm · Finishes: Polished, Satin-honed · Available as: Slabs

Updated daily from our live stock.

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Technical data

Guide values for the stone type, taken from manufacturer and test reports. Natural stone is a natural product — individual batches and slabs can differ. For critical applications, request slab-specific test data.

Wasseraufnahme 0,07 %

Suitability by application

Finishes

Aracruz Black is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.

Polished

Polishing is the most classic finish in the hard stone segment — a mirror-smooth, high-gloss surface with the highest possible colour intensity and maximum depth effect in the mineral structure. As an acid-resistant silicate stone, polished granite is easy to care for and the first choice for kitchen worktops, wall claddings and prestigious exposed surfaces.

Satin-honed

The satin surface is created by brushing, which selectively removes softer minerals and gives the surface a slight depth. A matte appearance with subtle light reflection and a warm feel to the touch. Easy to maintain, insensitive to scratches and suited to everyday use — a popular alternative to a polish in modern kitchens and living spaces.

Care & fabrication

As a Brazilian gabbro, Aracruz Black is an exceptionally robust hard rock with the lowest water absorption in the range (0.07 %), good acid resistance and a Mohs hardness of 6. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar, cola, bathroom cleaners or descalers leave no etch marks as they would on marble or limestone.

For interior applications we recommend a silane- or polysiloxane-based sealer at first installation. On polished surfaces, 5-10 years can pass between sealer refreshes depending on use; because of the exceptionally low water absorption, Aracruz Black is particularly insensitive to discolouration. Sealing protects against deep penetration by oil, grease and pigments — on the dark ground mass such discolouration is barely visible, which makes the stone a very forgiving choice for kitchen worktops.

Daily care is carried out with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft cloth or microfibre mop. Clear warm water is usually sufficient. The surface finishes currently held in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. Acidic cleaners are in principle unproblematic, but should nevertheless not be used, because they can attack the sealer.

Aracruz Black is outstandingly suited to kitchen worktops: cut- and scratch-resistant, not sensitive to heat (hot pots and pans can be set down directly for short periods, though longer heat exposure above 200 °C should still be avoided), acid-resistant and with excellent stain repellency thanks to the exceptionally low water absorption. For external applications, Aracruz Black is a particularly good choice: the exceptionally low water absorption of 0.07 % makes the stone one of the least water-sensitive external options — fully frost-resistant and stable against long-term weathering for external façades, terraces, stairs, pool areas and fountain surrounds. The surface finishes currently held in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. The dark ground tone stores more solar energy in hot climate zones than pale stones — for pool areas in the south, combine where appropriate with locally cooled irrigation.

For pool surrounds, external terraces and fountain surrounds, a slip-resistant textured finish is mandatory — on polished external surfaces there is a high risk of slipping when wet. Because of the low water absorption, Aracruz Black is particularly suitable for salt-water pools — the annual sealer refresh can be extended here to a 2-year interval.

Frequently asked questions

What is Aracruz Black geologically — granite or gabbro?

Geologically, Aracruz Black is a gabbro, a plutonic igneous rock with a high proportion of dark mafic minerals (pyroxene, olivine, plagioclase). In international trade and at ROSSITTIS the stone is carried within the granite family, because it offers the same technical properties (hardness, acid resistance, frost resistance) and is fabricated similarly. Other well-known gabbros in the classic black granite range are Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe, Star Galaxy, Black Pearl and Mystic Grey.

What makes Aracruz Black special for external and pool applications?

The exceptionally low water absorption of 0.07 % is the outstanding feature — one of the densest values among all commercially traded natural stones worldwide. Aracruz Black is therefore particularly insensitive to water, freeze-thaw cycling and salt exposure. For pool surrounds, salt-water pools, fountain surrounds and external façades in damp climate zones, the stone is a premium choice with very long durability.

Is Aracruz Black suitable for a kitchen worktop?

Outstandingly suited. With a Mohs hardness of 6, the lowest water absorption in the range (0.07 %) and full acid resistance, Aracruz Black is cut-, scratch- and heat-resistant and does not absorb the acids in wine, lemon or vinegar. On polished dark surfaces, fingerprints and water marks are visible — the satin-honed variant is markedly more tolerant in terms of maintenance here.

Which finishes are available for Aracruz Black?

The surface finishes currently held in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.

Where does Aracruz Black come from?

Aracruz Black comes from the Aracruz region in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo — one of the world's most productive regions for Brazilian gabbros. Internationally the stone runs under several synonyms: Nero Aracruz Granite (Italian), Preto Aracruz / Aracruz Preto Granite (Portuguese), Black Aracruz Granite (English), Negro Aracruz Granite (Spanish), Granito Negro Aracruz and Nero San Marco Granite. Related materials from Espírito Santo are Mystic Grey and other classic black granite trade stones.

How do I clean and care for Aracruz Black?

As a gabbro with exceptionally low water absorption, Aracruz Black is particularly easy to look after: daily care with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a microfibre cloth is sufficient. We recommend sealing at first installation; for interior applications a refresh interval of even 10+ years is possible depending on use, while on heavily used kitchen worktops or outdoors, check every 2-3 years. Acidic cleaners are in principle unproblematic, but should nevertheless not be used. On polished dark surfaces, fingerprints are visible — dry cleaning with a polishing microfibre cloth after damp wiping is advisable.

Aracruz Black or Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe — which suits better?

Both are classic deep black gabbros, and both are carried in the trade as granite. Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe is regarded as the absolute classic with the most even and finest-grained deep black tone worldwide, the highest premium segment, with an unmistakable premium status. Aracruz Black brings a very similar deep black ground tone with somewhat more marked silvery plagioclase speckling and, above all, the exceptionally low water absorption of 0.07 %. For absolute premium classic elegance, Nero Assoluto; for very good black quality with premium water properties, Aracruz Black — particularly for pool and external use the more rational choice.

What does Aracruz Black cost?

The price depends on the batch, thickness, surface finish and fabrication — with natural stone there is no serious flat rate per square metre. Business customers see prices once their B2B account is activated; private customers receive a complete quote through a fabricator near them.