Granite

Azul Platino

Azul Platino is a classic medium to coarse-grained Spanish two-mica granite from the quarrying area near Vigo in the Galician province of Pontevedra — a characteristic silvery violet to bluish grey groundmass with high-contrast black biotite mineral points and a subtle violet shimmer from embedded amethyst quartz. The main producer is Cupa Stone. Used in Spanish buildings for centuries, including the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Also carried internationally as Azul Platino Granite and Vigo Blue Platino; used for external façades, paving, floor surfaces, stairs, window sills, skirtings, bar counters, kitchen worktops and prestige building applications with a timelessly elegant silvery blue character.

Granite Spain 2.640 kg/m³

Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs

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About Azul Platino

Azul Platino shows an exceptionally characterful Iberian granite with a subtle violet-bluish tone. The groundmass consists predominantly of pale grey-creamy to silvery plagioclase and potassium feldspar crystals with a characteristic slightly violet character. This violet tone derives from embedded amethyst quartz — a rare mineralisation that gives the stone its eponymous 'Platino' character (Platino = Spanish for platinum, with the subtle platinum-violet shimmer). The material is a 'two-mica granite' — it contains both biotite (dark mica) and muscovite (pale mica) as characteristic minerals. The black biotite mineral points are clearly and contrastingly distributed, while the muscovite produces subtle silvery reflections. The mineral structure is isotropic (without direction) with a coarse-grained crystalline structure. On a polished surface the stone develops a classic gloss in which the violet amethyst quartz zones and the silvery mica areas emerge subtly — a unique visual character that distinguishes Azul Platino from uniform grey granites.

Geologically, Azul Platino is a granite from the quarrying area near Vigo in the Galician province of Pontevedra in the far north-west of Spain. The region is one of the most tradition-rich granite provinces in Europe — the city of Vigo and the surrounding Galicia have produced high-quality building granites for centuries. The mineral composition is exceptional: a two-mica granite with amethyst quartz, which gives the material its particular visual character. Petrographically a medium to coarse-grained plutonic rock. The historic use is notable: the famous Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985 — one of the most important Christian pilgrimage destinations worldwide) was built entirely from granite from the Vigo region. This confirms the centuries-long weather stability and heritage significance of the material. The main producer is Cupa Stone, one of the leading Iberian stone companies. Several synonyms circulate in international trade: Azul Platino Granite (the English trade name), Vigo Blue Platino, Spanish Platinum Blue Granite and occasionally just Platino.

Technically, Azul Platino shows sound values: bulk density 2,640 kg/m³, water absorption 0.2 % (very low), good compressive strength, 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. The low water absorption and the typical Galician granite strength qualify the stone for demanding internal and external applications including large-area external façades and heavily frequented public floor surfaces. Its historic performance in the market over centuries confirms the long-term weather stability.

At ROSSITTIS we carry Azul Platino as a raw slab in 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 60 mm thickness (from standard thicknesses to solid applications for stairs or paving) and for project-specific cutting to size. It is also available as a tile for floor and wall applications, as tread and riser, window sill and skirting. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Compared with other Iberian mid-grey granites, Azul Platino is a distinctive choice with its characteristic violet-blue tone: Gris Mondariz (Galician, more neutrally grey) is cooler without the violet cast; Gris Targa/Tragal (northern Portugal, neutral salt-and-pepper) is more uniform; Gris Quintana (Galician, a warm tone) is warmer; Mondariz Crema Julia is beige and warm. Within the Galician granite family, Azul Platino is the unique variant with a subtle amethyst quartz cast. For architectural projects with a timelessly elegant character and a subtle, characterful shimmer — external façades on prestige office buildings, paving with a historic, traditional character, hotel lobbies, building applications with high heritage ambitions and exclusive internal surfaces with an unmistakable visual character — Azul Platino is a tradition-rich and reliable choice in the middle to upper segment of the Iberian building granites.

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 2.640 kg/m³

Druckfestigkeit 139,0 MPa

Biegezugfestigkeit 14,1 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 0,20 %

Suitability by application

Finishes

Azul Platino 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.

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 two-mica granite, Azul Platino is a robust hard stone with low water absorption (0.2 %), full frost and acid resistance and sound 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 kitchen worktops, Azul Platino is well suited: cut- and scratch-resistant (Mohs hardness 6–7), insensitive to heat (hot pots and pans can be set down directly for short periods, but prolonged heat exposure above 200 °C should still be avoided), acid-resistant and with good stain repellency. The subtle violet tone gives designer kitchens an unmistakable visual character.

For external applications, Azul Platino is historically proven — the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela built from Vigo granite (weather-stable over centuries) confirms its long-term suitability. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

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 Platino geologically?

Azul Platino is a two-mica granite from the quarrying area near Vigo in the Galician province of Pontevedra in north-west Spain. 'Two-mica granite' means that the stone contains both biotite (dark mica) and muscovite (pale mica) as characteristic minerals. The characteristic violet-bluish tone derives from embedded amethyst quartz — a rare mineralisation that gives the material its unmistakable visual character. The main producer is Cupa Stone.

What synonyms are there?

In international trade, Azul Platino also runs under the designations Azul Platino Granite (the English trade name), Vigo Blue Platino, Spanish Platinum Blue Granite and occasionally just Platino. The name 'Azul Platino' means 'platinum blue' in Spanish and describes the characteristic silvery violet-bluish tone.

What are the violet reflections?

The characteristic subtle violet reflections in Azul Platino derive from embedded amethyst quartz — a quartz variety with violet colouring from iron impurities. This mineralisation is rare in the granite range and gives Azul Platino its unmistakable visual character. Under changing light the violet zones can shimmer subtly, lending the stone a lively, almost gemstone-like effect.

Which technical values does Azul Platino have?

Sound values: bulk density 2,640 kg/m³, water absorption 0.2 % (very low), good compressive and flexural strength, Mohs hardness 6–7. Full frost and acid resistance confirmed as a silicate rock. These values qualify the stone fully for demanding internal and external applications. Its historic performance in the market over centuries (the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela built from Vigo granite) confirms the long-term weather stability.

Where has Azul Platino been used in historically significant buildings?

The famous Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia (a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985, one of the most important Christian pilgrimage destinations worldwide) was built entirely from granite from the Vigo region — the same quarrying region as Azul Platino. This centuries-long performance confirms the exceptional heritage significance of the Galician granites and their long-term weather stability.

Is Azul Platino suitable for a kitchen worktop?

Yes, well suited. With Mohs hardness 6–7, low water absorption (0.2 %), good compressive strength and full acid resistance, the stone is cut-, scratch- and heat-resistant and does not absorb the acids in wine, lemon or vinegar. The subtle violet-grey tone with the amethyst quartz reflections gives designer kitchens an unmistakable visual character.

Which finishes are available for Azul Platino?

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

Is Azul Platino suitable for external façades?

Outstandingly suitable — and historically proven over centuries. The low water absorption (0.2 %), the typical Galician granite strength and the historic performance on buildings such as the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela qualify the stone for the most demanding external façades with long-term weather stability. For external façades we recommend flamed + brushed.