Black Pearl (also Nera Perla, AP Black Granite, Indian Black Pearl Granite or Pearl Black Granite) is a classic Indian syenite from Gurajapally in the Guntur district (Andhra Pradesh) with a deep black to dark anthracite ground mass, evenly interspersed with silver-grey feldspar and mica speckles that produce a pearl-like shimmer under light. High-strength (114.4 MPa compressive strength), low in water absorption (0.17 per cent) — used for kitchen worktops, bar counters, floor areas, wall claddings, facades and prestigious internal and external surfaces with an elegantly restrained character.
Petrographisch ein Syenit (magmatisches Tiefengestein mit dominierenden Feldspat-Mineralien), im Steinhandel der Granit-Familie zugeordnet.
Other trade names: AP Black Granite, Black Bahia, Black Pearl India Granite, Black Pearl Indiano Granite, Black Tea, Emerald Black, India Black Pearl Granite, Indian Black Pearl Granite, Labrador Black India Granite, Nera Perla, Opalscene, Pearl Black Granite, 印度黑珍珠 (Yìndù Hēi Zhēnzhū)
About Black Pearl
Black Pearl is one of the best-known and most widely used Indian hard rocks in the international dimension stone market — a classic syenite from the Gurajapally quarry district in the Guntur district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. Characteristic is a deep black to dark anthracite ground mass with a classically coarse-grained mineral texture and an isotropic (directionless) mineral arrangement — the ground mass is evenly interspersed with silver-grey feldspar and mica speckles that produce an unmistakably pearl-like shimmer under light — the source of the trade name 'Black Pearl'. The pearl effect arises from the finely distributed feldspar minerals, which reflect incident light and thus create a subtle schiller effect on the polished surface. On the market the material runs under numerous trade names: Black Pearl (the main German and English designation), Nera Perla (Italian — 'black pearl'), AP Black Granite (Andhra Pradesh Black), Indian Black Pearl Granite, Pearl Black Granite, Andhra Pradesh Black Pearl, Black Pearl India and Schwarze Perle Granit. At ROSSITTIS we carry Black Pearl for kitchen worktops, wall claddings, floor areas, staircases, facade claddings, external paving, plinth details, pool surrounds, bar counters, vanity tops, table tops and prestigious internal and external architecture with an elegantly restrained dark character.
Geologically, Black Pearl is a Precambrian syenite from the southern Indian crystalline shield — the Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh is a traditional Indian hard rock extraction region with numerous related dark granite and syenite selections. Syenites are classic plutonic igneous rocks that crystallise from a quartz-poor feldspar melt — unlike granites, which have a high quartz content, feldspar minerals (potassium feldspar and plagioclase) dominate in syenites. In Black Pearl the mineralogical composition is typically syenitic: potassium feldspar and plagioclase feldspar as the pale main constituents (responsible for the pearl-like schiller), black biotite and hornblende as accent minerals, with minimal quartz content. In the international and German stone trade, Indian syenites are consistently carried as granite, because technically they behave like classic hard granites — the database classification as syenite is petrographically correct; in the trade the granite designation predominates.
The technical values: bulk density 2,790 kg/m³ (very high), compressive strength 114.4 MPa (very high), flexural strength 17.2 MPa (granitically high), water absorption only 0.17 per cent (extremely low). These exceptional values place Black Pearl in the top class of robust Indian hard rocks — the high compressive strength and exceptionally low water absorption make the material suitable without restriction for demanding internal and external applications. Acid resistance is given within the normal application range — wine, lemon juice, vinegar or carbonated drinks leave no etch marks. Because of the high material density and low water absorption, Black Pearl is also frost-resistant to DIN EN 12407 and suitable for external applications with freeze-thaw exposure (typical for Indian syenites of the granite family). Compared with classic Indian black granite classics such as Nero Assoluto India, Black Pearl is somewhat lighter in its overall effect with a more pronounced pearl-like shimmer effect; compared with Chinese black granites such as G684, the material effect is warmer and the pearl effect more classic.
At ROSSITTIS, Black Pearl is available as a raw slab (random slab), as a floor tile, as treads and risers, as window sills, as skirtings, as setts, as a facade element, as a pool surround and as project-specific cutting; likewise as a kitchen worktop, bar counter, vanity top and table top. The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page.
Our frank assessment: Black Pearl is a very coherent choice for projects seeking an elegantly restrained Indian black hard rock with a subtle pearl shimmer and full granite robustness. The combination of a deep black overall effect, pearl-like silver-grey feldspar speckles, high compressive strength (114.4 MPa), low water absorption (0.17 per cent) and the wide availability of Indian syenites on the European market makes the material particularly suitable for modern residential fit-outs, kitchen worktops, bar counters, wall claddings, floor areas, staircases and facades with an elegantly restrained atmosphere. Anyone seeking a dramatically multicoloured exotic statement material chooses Capolavoro or Atlas; anyone who values a classically elegant Indian black syenite with full technical robustness and attractive commercial positioning is well advised with Black Pearl.
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.
Black Pearl 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.
Care & fabrication
As an Indian syenite of the granite family, Black Pearl can be maintained very well over the long term and cleaned without difficulty. With an extremely low water absorption of only 0.17 per cent, the material belongs to the dense hard rocks — stains accordingly form rarely. A sealer on a silane or polysiloxane basis after laying gives additional protection against strongly staining substances such as red wine, coffee, oil and tomato sauce — on the dark black ground such stains are admittedly less visible than on pale dimension stones, but the sealer prevents long-term material changes. Daily cleaning with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth or mop. Avoid strongly alkaline deep cleaners and abrasive steel wool. Outdoors, frost-resistant and tolerant of de-icing salt (typical for Indian syenites) — rinse off de-icing salt residues in spring. Refresh the sealer every three to five years. Important: dry polishing with a soft microfibre cloth preserves the characteristic pearl shimmer effect of the feldspars and thus the full Black Pearl material effect.
Frequently asked questions
What other designations does Black Pearl carry?
On the market the material runs under Black Pearl (the main German and English designation), Nera Perla (Italian — 'black pearl'), AP Black Granite (Andhra Pradesh Black), Indian Black Pearl Granite, Pearl Black Granite, Andhra Pradesh Black Pearl, Black Pearl India and Schwarze Perle Granit. All refer to the same Indian syenite of the granite family from Gurajapally in the Guntur district.
Where is Black Pearl quarried?
Black Pearl comes from the traditional Gurajapally quarry district in the Guntur district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in southern India. The region is home to numerous related dark granite and syenite selections that have been supplying the European and North American market with dependable hard rock selections for decades.
What is a syenite?
Syenites are classic plutonic igneous rocks that crystallise from a quartz-poor feldspar melt — unlike granites, which have a high quartz content, feldspar minerals (potassium feldspar and plagioclase) dominate in syenites. In Black Pearl the mineralogical composition is typically syenitic with dominant feldspar minerals as the pale main constituents, complemented by black biotite and hornblende. In the international stone trade, Indian syenites are consistently carried as granite, because technically they behave like classic hard granites.
What is the pearl shimmer effect?
The unmistakable pearl-like shimmer in the slab image of Black Pearl arises from the finely distributed feldspar minerals (potassium feldspar and plagioclase), which reflect incident light and thus create a subtle schiller effect on the polished surface. The effect is particularly visible on polished surfaces and gives Black Pearl its eponymous pearl character.
What technical values does Black Pearl have?
Bulk density 2,790 kg/m³ (very high), compressive strength 114.4 MPa (very high), flexural strength 17.2 MPa (granitically high), water absorption only 0.17 per cent (extremely low). Black Pearl thus belongs to the top class of robust Indian hard rocks and is suitable without restriction for demanding internal and external applications — acid-resistant, frost-resistant and very robust in everyday cooking.
Is Black Pearl suitable for kitchen worktops?
Very good. As an Indian syenite of the granite family, Black Pearl is acid-resistant, stain-resistant (with a good sealer) and very robust in everyday cooking. Wine, lemon juice or vinegar leave no etch marks. The elegantly restrained black ground effect with its subtle pearl shimmer harmonises particularly well with modern steel-and-glass kitchen architectures, pale timber fronts and stainless steel appliances.
Is Black Pearl frost-resistant?
Yes. Because of their compact mineral structure and low water absorption, Indian syenites are typically frost-resistant to DIN EN 12407. The low water absorption of Black Pearl (0.17 per cent) makes the material particularly robust against freeze-thaw exposure. Suitable without restriction for Central European climate zones with freeze-thaw exposure as external paving, stairs, facades and pool surrounds.
Black Pearl or Nero Assoluto India — which fits better?
Both are classic Indian black hard rocks with full granite robustness, but with a different character. Nero Assoluto India (also Absolute Black) is a classic black granite with a calm, monochrome material signature and extremely small mineral variations — the monolithically elegant choice for calm black exposed surfaces. Black Pearl is somewhat lighter with a more pronounced pearl-like shimmer effect from the feldspars — the more distinctive choice with a subtle pearl material effect. Anyone seeking a calm, monochrome black granite surface chooses Nero Assoluto; for an elegantly pearlescent black material signature with a pearl shimmer, Black Pearl is the more distinctive choice.
