Marble

Bardiglio Grigio

Bardiglio Grigio is a classic Italian marble from the Apuan Alps (Tuscany) with a mid-grey base tone and an irregular, cloudy, animated figure in white and pale grey. Polishable, versatile and established as a grey Carrara marble for centuries.

Marble Italy 2.700 kg/m³

Available as: Skirting

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About Bardiglio Grigio

Bardiglio Grigio is one of the classic grey marbles of the Apuan Alps. The base tone moves between pale grey and mid grey, shot through with the irregular cloudy figure characteristic of Bardiglio, with whitish and pale grey veins. The slab image reads not as strictly geometric but as lively and natural — like a calm landscape photograph. It is precisely this timeless look that makes the stone interesting for high-quality bathrooms, bookmatch wall cladding, stairs, floor surfaces, fireplace surrounds and prestige interior fit-outs.

Bardiglio Grigio is a collective term for grey marble variants from the classic Carrara-Apuan district in Tuscany. The principal types are Bardiglio Carrara, Bardiglio Nuvolato (with a more pronounced cloud figure), Bardiglio Vagli and the darker, more intense Bardiglio Imperiale. Extraction takes place in the quarries around Carrara (province of Massa-Carrara) as well as in Seravezza and Stazzema (province of Lucca). Geologically it is a marble of Jurassic age — the same metamorphic complex from which Bianco Carrara and Calacatta are also won. The grey tone derives from finely dispersed clay mineral and graphite fractions in the original carbonate sediment.

Technically, Bardiglio sits in the typical range of the high-quality Carrara marbles: bulk density around 2,700 kg/m³, compressive strength 120 to 126 MPa, flexural strength about 12.8 MPa, water absorption only 0.12 %. The fine, dense structure allows a very high-quality polish — a property that has made Bardiglio the preferred material for interior fit-outs in palaces, churches and prestige buildings in Italy and Europe for centuries. Chemically the material remains acid-sensitive: wine, lemon, vinegar or acidic sanitary cleaners leave etch marks on the material surface.

At ROSSITTIS we carry Bardiglio Grigio as a raw slab for wall cladding, vanity tops and bookmatch applications, in tiles for floor and wall surfaces, as tread and riser, window sill, skirting, fireplace cladding, table top and project-specific cutting to size. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down — the tumbled version shows the cloudy depth and the fine play of veins in a matt, everyday-tolerant character.

Compared with Bianco Carrara, Bardiglio reads as markedly darker and more urban, with a calmer figure than the whiter classic. Against Calacatta, Bardiglio is more matter-of-fact and less dramatic — not an expressive play of veins but a cloudy, atmospheric depth. Compared with grey quartzites such as Luna Grey, Bardiglio remains more sensitive to acids, but brings with it the unmistakable depth of marble and the tradition of the Apuan quarries.

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 2.700 kg/m³

Druckfestigkeit 123,0 MPa

Biegezugfestigkeit 12,8 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 0,12 %

Suitability by application

Finishes

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

Getrommelt

Durch Reibung mit Gesteinszugaben und Wasser in einer rotierenden Trommel entsteht eine matte Oberfläche mit leicht angebrochenen Kanten und satinähnlicher Haptik. Wirkt natürlich gealtert. Geeignet ausschließlich für Wand- und Bodenfliesen, nicht für Rohplatten — Standardwahl für mediterrane und antikisierte Gestaltungskonzepte.

Care & fabrication

Bardiglio Grigio is an acid-sensitive marble. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar, cola, sanitary cleaners or descalers leave etch marks on the material surface — visible as dull shadows or loss of gloss. That is part of the material character of classic marbles and should be deliberately factored into the choice of material.

For all applications, a silane- or polysiloxane-based sealer is essential. It prevents the ingress of water, oil and colouring agents and reduces staining — but it does not remove the acid sensitivity. We recommend refreshing the sealer every 1-2 years, and more frequently on heavily used floor surfaces.

Daily care is carried out with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth. Avoid vinegar cleaners, cement haze removers, acidic sanitary cleaners and strongly alkaline products. Wine, coffee, oil, lemon juice or cosmetic products should not be left to act for long on the material surface — wipe off immediately and wipe over with clear water.

For kitchen worktops, Bardiglio is possible but not carefree: acids from everyday cooking can leave a visible patina. Anyone who loves the warm marble image and accepts patina as character is right with Bardiglio. Anyone who needs maximum everyday security should choose a grey quartzite.

Outdoors, Bardiglio can be used in sheltered positions with correct installation including falls and an intact sealer. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bardiglio Grigio suitable for the kitchen?

Conditionally. As an acid-sensitive marble it works as a kitchen worktop only where patina is accepted, sealing is consistent and acids are removed immediately. At 120-126 MPa compressive strength, Bardiglio is mechanically well able to take loading, but it remains chemically sensitive. For carefree grey kitchen worktops we recommend a grey quartzite such as Luna Grey.

Which finishes are available for Bardiglio Grigio?

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

Where does Bardiglio Grigio come from?

Bardiglio Grigio comes from the Apuan Alps in Tuscany — the classic marble quarries around Carrara (province of Massa-Carrara) as well as Seravezza and Stazzema (province of Lucca). Geologically it is a marble of Jurassic age from the same metamorphic complex as Bianco Carrara and Calacatta.

Which Bardiglio variants are there?

Several grey types run in the trade under the collective term Bardiglio Grigio: Bardiglio Carrara as the main variant with a calm cloud figure, Bardiglio Nuvolato with more pronounced veining, Bardiglio Vagli from the valley of the same name and Bardiglio Imperiale as the darkest, most intense type.

How do I clean and care for Bardiglio Grigio?

Sealing is essential. Daily care with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a microfibre cloth. Consistently avoid acidic cleaners, descalers, vinegar and citric acid. Wipe off wine, coffee or oil immediately — on pale marbles, discolouration becomes visible quickly.

Is Bardiglio Grigio frost-resistant and suitable for outdoor use?

With water absorption of only 0.12 %, Bardiglio can be used in sheltered external positions. Freely weathered external surfaces are not its strength, however — acids from precipitation and de-icing salt can change the gloss and the depth of colour. For external applications we recommend a matt, textured finish in sheltered areas.

Bardiglio Grigio or Bianco Carrara — which suits better?

Both come from the same Apuan marble complex and have similar care requirements. Bianco Carrara is paler, with a whitish base tone and fine grey veining — the classic Renaissance marble. Bardiglio Grigio is markedly darker and with a cloudier figure — more modern and more urban in effect. For pale, classic rooms, Bianco Carrara; for modern grey interior architecture, Bardiglio.