Limestone

Black Rain

Black Rain is a Chinese fossil-rich black limestone with a dense network of white calcite veins and visible fossil inclusions. Polishable like a classic black marble — used for bookmatched wall surfaces, bathrooms, fireplace claddings and prestigious interiors.

Limestone China 2.660 kg/m³

Available as: Slabs

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About Black Rain

Black Rain lives from its dramatic colour contrast: a dense, velvety black ground field is run through by a fine, almost network-like system of white calcite veins, interspersed with clearly visible fossil inclusions such as crinoid and shell fragments. The veins read like fine rain on a black ground — hence the name Black Rain. The slab image is expressive and lively without tipping into the dramatic, with a subtle fossil structure that brings additional material character to large surfaces. It is precisely this iconic black-and-white look that makes the stone interesting for bookmatched wall claddings, bathrooms, fireplace surrounds, table tops and prestigious interiors.

Geologically, Black Rain is a dense, polishable limestone from Chinese deposits. The stone belongs to the family of black fossil-rich marbles quarried in several regions of China. Geologically, the material formed from marine carbonate deposits with a high proportion of organic material, which causes the dark colouring — the white veins are secondary calcite intercalations from later tectonic movements, the fossil inclusions traces of petrified marine organisms from the time of sedimentation. On the market the material also runs as a Chinese black marble with white vein figuring.

Technically, Black Rain behaves like a classic high-grade limestone: dense, fine-grained structure, high optical depth. The material structure is very clear and gives the surface a vitreous, almost glassy character. Chemically the stone remains acid-sensitive: wine, lemon juice, vinegar or acidic sanitary cleaners leave etch marks on the material surface. On the dark ground such changes are visually particularly noticeable, because they are not concealed by pale vein figuring — the pale calcite veins and fossils react most visibly.

At ROSSITTIS we carry Black Rain as a raw slab for bookmatched wall claddings, bathrooms and vanity tops, in tiles for wall and floor areas, as treads and risers, window sills, skirtings, fireplace claddings and project-specific cutting. The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page — the satin-honed variant shows the black depth and the white vein network in a matt, everyday-tolerant character and remains the obvious choice for bookmatching and prestigious bathrooms.

Compared with classic black-and-white marbles such as Nero Marquina from Spain, Black Rain reads as even livelier thanks to the fossil inclusions — not a pure play of veins but an additional material layer of petrified structures. Against the Turkish Alexander Black the slab image remains similarly contrasting, but with the characteristic fossil structure. Anyone seeking maximum acid resistance for a black kitchen worktop is better served by a black granite such as Nero Assoluto.

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 2.660 kg/m³

Druckfestigkeit 134,3 MPa

Biegezugfestigkeit 18,7 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 0,16 %

Suitability by application

Finishes

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

Satiniert

Die Oberfläche wird gebürstet — weichere Minerale werden gezielt entfernt, es entsteht eine subtile Tiefe und mattes Erscheinungsbild. Besonders geaderte Kalksteine erhalten so eine charaktervolle Optik und Haptik. Die mattere Veredelung kaschiert kleine Ätzungen besser als poliert und ist alltagstauglicher für stark beanspruchte Innenflächen.

Care & fabrication

Black Rain is an acid-sensitive limestone. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar, cola, sanitary cleaners or descalers leave etch marks on the material surface — visible as matt shadows or loss of gloss. On the dark ground such changes are visually particularly noticeable — the pale calcite veins and fossils react most visibly.

For all applications, sealing on a silane or polysiloxane basis is mandatory. It prevents the penetration of water, oil and dyes and reduces staining — but it does not remove the acid sensitivity. We recommend refreshing the sealer every 1-2 years.

Daily care is carried out with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth. On dark surfaces you should not work too wet and should take up residues cleanly with a dry cloth so that no streaks form. Avoid acidic cleaners, descalers, vinegar and aggressive specialist chemicals.

Wine, coffee, oil, lemon juice or cosmetic products should not be left to act on the material surface for long — wipe off immediately and wipe over with clear water.

For kitchen worktops Black Rain is only conditionally suitable. Anyone who loves the iconic black-and-white material image and accepts patina as character can use the material in show kitchens. For carefree black kitchen worktops we recommend a black granite such as Nero Assoluto or Toros Siyah.

For permanently weathered external surfaces the material is not suitable. Indoors it is stable over the long term with proper care.

Frequently asked questions

Is Black Rain suitable for a kitchen?

Conditionally. As an acid-sensitive limestone it works as a kitchen worktop only with accepted patina, consistent sealing and immediate removal of acids. Anyone who loves the iconic black-and-white material image can use the material in show kitchens. For carefree black kitchen worktops we recommend a black granite such as Nero Assoluto or Toros Siyah.

What finishes are available in Black Rain?

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

Where does Black Rain come from?

Black Rain comes from Chinese deposits. Geologically it is a marine carbonate limestone with a high proportion of organic material, which causes the dark colouring — the white veins are secondary calcite intercalations, the fossil inclusions traces of petrified crinoids and shell fragments.

What are the fossil inclusions in Black Rain?

On close inspection one can make out pale, often circular or shell-like structures on the material surface — petrified remains of marine organisms from the time of sedimentation. These fossil inclusions are part of the characteristic material effect and distinguish Black Rain from black marbles based purely on vein figuring.

How do I clean and care for Black Rain?

Sealing is mandatory. Daily care with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a microfibre cloth. On dark stone, wipe over with a dry cloth so that no streaks remain. Consistently avoid acidic cleaners, descalers, vinegar and citric acid — they attack the pale calcite veins in particular. Wipe off wine, coffee or oil immediately.

Is Black Rain frost-resistant and suitable for external use?

For permanently weathered external surfaces Black Rain is not suitable — as a limestone it reacts sensitively to de-icing salt and acidic precipitation. Indoors it is stable over the long term with proper care.

Black Rain or Nero Marquina — which fits better?

Both are acid-sensitive black limestones with white vein figuring. Nero Marquina from Spain typically shows more clearly drawn veins running through like flashes of lightning on a uniformly black ground. Black Rain brings additional material character through its fossil inclusions — an additional visual layer of petrified structures. For a classically graphic black-and-white look Nero Marquina; for a lively fossil-rich character Black Rain.