Barroca is a Brazilian soapstone from the Minas Gerais region — deep grey, warm to the touch, acid-resistant. At ROSSITTIS it is used above all for fireplace surrounds, basins, worktops and tactile, homely internal surfaces.
Speckstein
Brazil
Frostbeständig
Säurebeständig
2.660 kg/m³
Other trade names: Barrocal, Branco Preto do Barrocal, Cinza Evora, Cinzento Evora, Speckstein Barroca
About Barroca
Barroca is a soapstone — that is, an entirely different material character from marble or granite. The colour lies in deep grey to anthracite, often with fine white vein or matrix figures. Typical is the soft feel: soapstone feels pleasantly warm, because the high talc content stores and conducts heat well. That is precisely what makes it so interesting for fireplace surrounds, wood-stove cladding, basins and tactile, homely surfaces. The stone is not a quiet background player but brings a very particular, almost workshop-like material feel with it.
The stone comes from Brazil, from the Mariana region in the state of Minas Gerais. Petrographically it is a soapstone, mineralogically a mixture of talc, chlorite and frequently magnesite. Geologically it belongs to the family of serpentinites, but in the trade it is usually carried as its own category, “soapstone”. At ROSSITTIS, Barroca runs within the MARBLE group for presentation reasons, because the typical soft stone character and the decorative fields of use are better placed there than among the hard rocks. Names such as “Classic Soapstone” or “Barroca Grey Soapstone” are also current in the trade.
Important for planning: soapstone has an entirely different profile of strengths and weaknesses from granite or quartzite. It is very soft (Mohs 1–3, hence the name “soapstone”), scratchable and therefore visually responsive to everyday life. In return it is practically non-porous, chemically very stable and completely acid-resistant — lemon, vinegar and wine cause no dull marks as they would on marble or limestone. Heat is not an issue either: soapstone is traditionally used directly as a stove stone and tolerates hot pots without damage. And: over time and with oil the surface deepens and develops a darker, richer patina — that is part of the material.
The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. At ROSSITTIS, Barroca is available as a raw slab, tile, basin, worktop, fireplace cladding, window sill and for further made-to-measure internal components. As an alternative to calm grey granites it reads as markedly softer and more tactile; as an alternative to dark slate, more matt and more massive.
The honest assessment: Barroca is not an everyday hard rock. Anyone wanting maximum scratch resistance and a high level of surface preservation is better served by granite or quartzite. Anyone looking, on the other hand, for an acid-resistant, warm, tactilely lively soft stone with a clear workshop character gets in Barroca a very distinctive natural stone — particularly strong at fireplaces, vanity units and in deliberately tactile interiors.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
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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.
Barroca is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.
Geschliffen C400
Mattes Erscheinungsbild durch feinen Schliff mit Körnung C400 — die ebene Oberfläche zeigt eine deutlichere Farbintensität bei reduzierten Schleifspuren. Etwas pflegeintensiver als poliert, aber visuell sehr nahe an der polierten Tiefe — eine elegante Mattalternative für hochwertige Innenflächen mit anspruchsvoller Anmutung.
Care & fabrication
As a soapstone, Barroca is acid-resistant and almost non-porous. That makes cleaning and care very simple in everyday use, while at the same time the soft surface has to be treated with consideration.
For cleaning, pH-neutral natural stone cleaners or a mild washing-up liquid with a soft cloth are sufficient. Because the stone is acid-stable, citrus, wine or vinegar do it no harm either — a genuine advantage over marble in kitchens.
Scouring powder, pot scourers and scratching pads should be avoided: soapstone is soft and readily takes visible marks. Smaller scratches can, however, be blended out without difficulty using fine abrasive paper followed by oiling — that is part of the material's care routine.
Sealing is not necessary. Instead, soapstone is classically treated with a neutral natural stone or mineral oil. This deepens the colour, makes the patina even and protects heavily used surfaces. Oiling can be repeated regularly (1–4 times a year).
On fireplace and stove surfaces no additional care is needed — heat is entirely unproblematic for soapstone. In kitchens and bathrooms you deliberately accept the natural patina: the material lives, and that is precisely its character.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barroca really a soapstone, not a granite?
Yes. Barroca is a Brazilian soapstone from Minas Gerais. There is a Portuguese granodiorite of the same name in the trade (“Barrocal/Cinza Évora”) — that is a different stone, not this material.
Why does Barroca run in the marble group at ROSSITTIS?
Soapstone has no broad trade category of its own in the German market. Because it falls geologically within the family of serpentinites and is used as a decorative soft stone, it is assigned to the marble group at ROSSITTIS.
Is Barroca suitable for the kitchen?
Yes — with realistic expectations. Soapstone is acid-resistant and heat-resistant, which is very pleasant in the kitchen. It is soft, however, and takes visible scratches, though these can easily be sanded out.
How do I care for Barroca correctly?
Clean with a pH-neutral cleaner and a soft cloth. Instead of sealing, soapstone is classically oiled (natural stone or mineral oil), which deepens the colour and the patina. Scratches can be blended out with fine abrasive paper.
Where does Barroca come from?
From Brazil, specifically from the Mariana region in the state of Minas Gerais — one of the classic soapstone regions worldwide.
What is Barroca best suited to?
Particularly strong at fireplaces, wood stoves, basins, vanity tops and as a tactile worktop. Less suitable for heavily used commercial surfaces with scratch and abrasion risks.
