Granite

Azul Noche

Azul Noche is a classic medium-grained Spanish biotite granite from the Ávila quarrying area in central Spain — a dark anthracite-grey groundmass with characteristic large bluish plagioclase megacrysts (feldspar eyes) that give the stone its eponymous 'night' character with subtle blue reflections. The main producer is Grupimar, one of the leading Iberian stone companies. Also carried internationally as Azul Noche Granite and Spanish Blue Night Granite; used for external façades, paving, kerbs, heavily frequented floor surfaces, stairs, building applications and prestige external architecture with a dark, elegant character.

Granite Spain 2.750 kg/m³

Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs

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About Azul Noche

Azul Noche shows an exceptionally characterful, dark and elegant granite character with subtle blue reflections. The groundmass consists predominantly of a dark anthracite-grey to almost black mineral matrix with dominant biotite, hornblende and quartz. Characteristic are the large bluish plagioclase megacrysts (feldspar tablets) typical of Azul Noche — these centimetre-sized pale crystals are distributed across the dark groundmass and reflect the light in subtle blue, turquoise and silver-grey tones. The designation 'Azul Noche' (Spanish for 'blue night') describes this characteristic material effect aptly — a blue schiller phenomenon embedded in a dark mineral matrix, recalling moonlight on a dark sheet of water or a star-covered night sky. On a polished surface the stone develops a rich depth — the dark groundmass intensifies almost to black, while the plagioclase megacrysts emerge dramatically and unfold their subtle blue reflections. On a flamed surface the mineral points become more plastic and the material effect higher in contrast.

Geologically, Azul Noche is an igneous plutonic rock from the central Spanish granite complex of Ávila, a region in the historic region of Castile and León. Petrographically a medium-grained biotite granite with characteristic plagioclase megacrysts (feldspar-eye granite). The main producer is Grupimar, part of the Marcelino Martinez group — one of the largest Iberian stone companies, with more than 20 quarries of its own in Spain, Portugal and South America. Several synonyms circulate in international trade: Azul Noche Granite (the English trade name), Spanish Blue Night Granite, Granito Azul Noche (the original Spanish name) and occasionally Avila Blue Night.

Technically, Azul Noche shows exceptionally strong values: bulk density 2,750 kg/m³ (very high), compressive strength 122.7 MPa (1,251 kg/cm²), flexural strength 8.04 MPa (82 kg/cm²), water absorption 0.2 % (very low — Grupimar states 0.26 %), abrasion resistance 1.92 mm, impact resistance minimum drop height 45 cm, Mohs hardness 6–7. Full frost and acid resistance confirmed as a silicate rock — wine, lemon juice, vinegar or sanitary cleaners leave no etch marks as they would on marble or limestone. Azul Noche is therefore fully practical for the most demanding internal and external applications, including heavily frequented public floor surfaces and large external façades.

At ROSSITTIS we carry Azul Noche as a raw slab in 10, 20, 30 and 40 mm thickness (from standard thicknesses to solid applications for stairs or paving), in tiles for floor and wall applications, as tread and riser, window sill, skirting and for project-specific cutting to size. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Compared with other Iberian dark grey granites, Azul Noche is a distinctive choice with its characteristic plagioclase shimmer: Negro Tulipa (a higher-contrast salt-and-pepper) is more uniform; Negro Galicia (a Galician almost-black granite) is markedly darker and more uniform; Gris Galicia is paler; Negro Mondariz is related but usually finer-grained. Against South African or Indian dark building stones such as Impala (uniformly dark grey) or Steel Grey (with a finer plagioclase shimmer effect), Azul Noche brings the typical Iberian megacryst look with larger bluish-grey feldspar eyes. For architectural projects with a dark, elegant character and a subtle schiller effect — prestige external façades on office buildings, heavily frequented public squares and paving, classic residential buildings with dark dimension stone accents, external stairs with a powerful material effect and building applications with high weather loading — Azul Noche is a reliable and expressive choice in the upper segment of the Iberian building granites. The stone has been used in premium architectural projects, for example in Amsterdam.

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.

Rohdichte 2.750 kg/m³

Druckfestigkeit 141,0 MPa

Biegezugfestigkeit 14,9 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 0,20 %

Suitability by application

Particularly suited to

Bodenbelag ✓ Ideal

Finishes

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

Poliert

Politur ist die klassischste Veredelung im Hartgesteinsegment — eine spiegelglatte, hochglänzende Oberfläche mit höchstmöglicher Farbintensität und maximaler Tiefenwirkung der Mineralstruktur. Als säurebeständiges Silikatgestein ist polierter Granit pflegeleicht und für Küchenarbeitsplatten, Wandverkleidungen und repräsentative Sichtflächen erste Wahl.

Satiniert

Die satinierte Oberfläche entsteht durch Bürsten, das weichere Minerale gezielt entfernt und der Fläche eine leichte Tiefe gibt. Mattes Erscheinungsbild mit subtiler Lichtreflexion und haptisch warmer Wirkung. Pflegeleicht, kratzunempfindlich und alltagstauglich — beliebte Alternative zur Politur in modernen Küchen und Wohnräumen.

Geschliffen C120

Mattes Erscheinungsbild durch groben Schliff mit Körnung C120 — die ebene Oberfläche zeigt eine zurückhaltendere Farbintensität als poliert und kann sichtbare Schleifspuren tragen. Im Vergleich zur Politur pflegeintensiver, aber stilistisch ruhiger; bevorzugte Wahl für moderne Innenarchitektur mit reduzierter Reflexion.

Geflammt + 1 x gebürstet

Die Oberfläche wird durch Hitze aufgeraut und einmal gebürstet, um scharfkantige Mineralreste zu glätten und loses Material zu entfernen. Etwas sanftere Haptik als rein geflammt, weiterhin rutschhemmend, Farbe weniger intensiv als poliert. Standardwahl für Außenbereiche, Terrassen und stark beanspruchte Bodenflächen.

Care & fabrication

As a Spanish granite, Azul Noche is an exceptionally robust hard stone with low water absorption (0.2 %), full frost and acid resistance and very high mechanical strength. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar, cola, sanitary cleaners or descalers leave no etch marks as they would on marble or limestone — the stone is considerably easier to maintain and is ideally suited to intensive everyday use.

For internal applications we recommend a silane- or polysiloxane-based sealer at first installation. On polished surfaces, renewal every 8–10 years is sufficient; on heavily used floor surfaces, stairs or external applications, check every 3–5 years.

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. Acidic cleaners are unproblematic in principle, but should nonetheless not be used, because they can attack the sealer. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

For external applications, Azul Noche is particularly well qualified: the DIN/EN-compliant values (compressive strength 122.7 MPa, water absorption 0.2 %, good frost resistance) and the high block-to-block consistency make the stone the first choice for demanding external façades, paving with high traffic loading, pool areas and applications with freeze-thaw and de-icing salt loading. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. In addition, the plagioclase megacrysts emerge plastically on a flamed surface and give the stone a lively external architectural character.

For paving, Azul Noche is particularly suitable — the high compressive strength, the good abrasion resistance (1.92 mm) and the impact resistance (minimum drop height 45 cm) qualify the stone for heavily loaded city-centre paving, squares, entrance areas and building applications. For paving with vehicle traffic we recommend slab thicknesses of at least 30–40 mm.

For pool surrounds, external terraces and fountain surrounds, a slip-resistant textured finish is essential — polished external surfaces present a high risk of slipping when wet. In areas with frequent salt contact we recommend an additional refresh of the sealer every 3 years.

Frequently asked questions

What is Azul Noche geologically?

Azul Noche is an igneous plutonic rock (granite) from the central Spanish granite complex of Ávila in Castile and León. Petrographically a medium-grained biotite granite with characteristic plagioclase megacrysts (feldspar-eye granite). The main producer is Grupimar — part of the Marcelino Martinez group and one of the leading Iberian stone suppliers, with more than 20 quarries in Spain, Portugal and South America.

What are the bluish megacrysts?

The characteristic bluish-grey megacrysts in Azul Noche are plagioclase feldspar tablets (centimetre-sized pale crystals) with subtle blue, turquoise and silver reflections that scatter the light in different directions. These schiller-like reflections give the stone its eponymous character — 'Azul Noche' means 'blue night' and describes the impression of moonlight on a dark sheet of water or a star-covered night sky. The megacrysts grew during the slow cooling of the magma in the Earth's crust.

What synonyms are there?

In international trade, Azul Noche also runs under the designations Azul Noche Granite (the English trade name), Granito Azul Noche (the original Spanish name), Spanish Blue Night Granite and occasionally Avila Blue Night. All designations refer to the same Spanish biotite granite from the Ávila quarrying area.

Which technical values does Azul Noche have?

Exceptionally strong values: bulk density 2,750 kg/m³ (very high), compressive strength 122.7 MPa (1,251 kg/cm²), flexural strength 8.04 MPa (82 kg/cm²), water absorption 0.2–0.26 % (very low), abrasion resistance 1.92 mm, impact resistance minimum drop height 45 cm, Mohs hardness 6–7. Full frost and acid resistance as a silicate rock. These values qualify Azul Noche fully for demanding internal and external applications including heavily frequented public floor surfaces.

Is Azul Noche suitable for paving?

Outstandingly suitable — the high compressive strength, the good abrasion resistance (1.92 mm) and the impact resistance (minimum drop height 45 cm) qualify the stone for heavily loaded city-centre paving, squares, entrance areas and building applications. For paving with vehicle traffic we recommend slab thicknesses of at least 30–40 mm. The ROSSITTIS standard thicknesses (10, 20, 30 and 40 mm) cover all application requirements.

Is Azul Noche suitable for a kitchen worktop?

Yes, well suited. With Mohs hardness 6–7, low water absorption (0.2 %), good compressive strength (122.7 MPa) and full acid resistance, the stone is cut-, scratch- and heat-resistant and does not absorb the acids in wine, lemon or vinegar. The bluish plagioclase megacrysts give designer kitchens with dark work surfaces an exceptional visual character.

Which finishes are available for Azul Noche?

The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.

Is Azul Noche suitable for external façades?

Outstandingly suitable — Azul Noche has been internationally recognised for its exceptional hardness and durability. The DIN/EN-compliant values and the high block-to-block consistency make the stone the first choice for demanding external façades in heavily weather-loaded positions. Well-known architectural projects using Azul Noche are located in Amsterdam among other places. For external façades we recommend flamed + brushed — this finish offers full weather stability and a livelier material effect.