Breccia Imperiale is a high-grade metamorphic mylonite from the Brazilian hard rock range with a dramatic brecciated material signature: a deep black matrix with brown-bronze, beige and cream-white mineral fields in a flowing, folded movement texture. Traded as a granite/hard rock — an expressive choice for prestige wall cladding, bar counters, kitchen worktops and statement architecture.
Petrographisch ein Mylonit (hochmetamorphes Gestein aus tektonischen Scherzonen), im Handel der Hartgesteins-Familie zugeordnet und als Granit geführt.
Other trade names: Amarula, BRECCIA ROMANA, Breccia Imperiale Di Sardegna, Breccia Imperiale Marrone Quartzite, Brown Imperiale Quartzite, Imperiale Brown Quartzite, Marmi Breccia Imperiale, ROMA IMPERIALE
About Breccia Imperiale
Breccia Imperiale is one of the most expressive Brazilian hard rocks on the European market — a high-grade metamorphic mylonite with a unique brecciated, folded material signature. Characteristic is a deep black to dark anthracite ground matrix in which strong brown-bronze, warm beige and cream-white mineral fields combine into flowing, folded lines of movement. The slab pattern shows the typical mylonite signature: cataclastic fold structures from tectonic deformation under high pressure, in which fragments of older rocks were re-cemented within a dynamically flowed matrix. At ROSSITTIS we carry Breccia Imperiale for designed wall cladding, prestige floors in lobby and entrance areas, kitchen worktops, cooking islands, bar counters, vanity tops, exposed surfaces, fireplace surrounds and project-specific bespoke work where a strong signature of its own is wanted.
Geologically, Breccia Imperiale is a mylonite — a particular class of metamorphic rocks formed through strong ductile deformation in shear zones of the earth's crust. Under high pressures and temperatures, older rocks are made to flow plastically and are simultaneously fragmented; the typical folded, brecciated texture arises from this interplay of ductile flow and brittle fracture. In the stone trade, mylonites are consistently assigned to the hard rocks and carried under 'granite', since they behave technically like classic hard granites. The warm colour signature arises from embedded carbonate and iron oxide minerals, the black matrix from biotite, amphibole and fine mica.
Technically, Breccia Imperiale behaves like a high-quality hard rock: high compressive strength, low water absorption, frost-resistant to DIN EN 12407, acid-resistant within the normal range of application. The material is therefore — unlike a classic marble or limestone with a similar brecciated appearance — well suited to kitchen worktops and heavily loaded exposed surfaces. Compared with classic natural marbles such as Breccia Pernice or Italian breccia marbles, Breccia Imperiale is markedly harder, less acid-sensitive and more fit for everyday use; compared with classic Brazilian hard rocks such as Verde Tropical or Acapulco Red, it brings a completely different, quietly flowing folded appearance with less band structure and more brecciated format.
At ROSSITTIS, Breccia Imperiale is available as an unsized slab, as a floor tile, as tread and riser, as a window sill, as a skirting, as a wall facing and as a project-specific cut; likewise as a kitchen worktop, bar counter and vanity top. The surface finishes currently held in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. The polished variant is by far the most frequent choice, because only it brings out the full mineral colouring and the brecciated plasticity.
Our honest assessment: Breccia Imperiale is a design statement material with one of the most expressive material signatures in the Brazilian hard rock range. For projects looking for an unmistakable, dramatic wall or floor stone with hard-rock robustness, the material is a first-class choice. Unlike a visually similar brecciated natural marble, with Breccia Imperiale you need have no concern about acid marks in everyday kitchen use — the combination of dramatic breccia appearance and full hard-rock ease of maintenance is a rare and very strong combination. Anyone who needs a quiet background surface should choose a single-colour granite; for designed exposed surfaces with high memorability, Breccia Imperiale is the striking choice.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
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Finishes
Breccia Imperiale 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 a Brazilian hard rock of the mylonite family, Breccia Imperiale can be maintained and cleaned without difficulty. With its low water absorption and acid resistance within the normal range of application, the material is markedly easier to look after in everyday use than a visually similar natural marble — wine, lemon juice, vinegar or carbonated drinks leave no etch marks. For kitchen worktops, bar counters and heavily frequented floors we nevertheless recommend a silane- or polysiloxane-based sealer as additional protection against strongly staining substances such as red wine, coffee, oil and tomato sauce. Routine cleaning is done with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth or mop; clear water alone is almost always sufficient for daily care. You should avoid strongly alkaline deep cleaners and abrasive steel wool. Outdoors (under cover) Breccia Imperiale is frost-resistant — de-icing salt residues should be rinsed off with water in spring. We recommend refreshing the sealer every three to five years depending on exposure.
Frequently asked questions
What is a mylonite?
Mylonites are a particular class of high-grade metamorphic rocks formed through strong ductile deformation in shear zones of the earth's crust. Under high pressures and temperatures, older rocks are made to flow plastically and are simultaneously fragmented — the typical folded, brecciated texture of Breccia Imperiale is the result of this interplay of ductile flow and brittle fracture. In the stone trade, mylonites are consistently assigned to the hard rocks and carried under 'granite'.
Is Breccia Imperiale a marble or a hard rock?
Despite the dramatic brecciated appearance, which recalls a natural marble, Breccia Imperiale is petrographically and technically a hard rock (a mylonite) — acid-resistant, high in strength, frost-resistant and in everyday use markedly easier to look after than a classic breccia marble. This combination of marble appearance and granite robustness makes the material particularly interesting for kitchen worktops and heavily loaded exposed surfaces.
Which finishes are available for Breccia Imperiale?
The surface finishes currently held in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.
Is Breccia Imperiale suitable for kitchen worktops?
Very much so. As a mylonite of the hard rock family, Breccia Imperiale is acid-resistant, stain-resistant (with good sealing) and very robust in everyday cooking. Wine, lemon juice or vinegar leave no etch marks — an essential advantage over visually similar breccia marbles, which are acid-sensitive in kitchens.
Is Breccia Imperiale frost-resistant?
Yes. With the low water absorption typical of hard rocks, Breccia Imperiale is clearly in frost-proof territory to DIN EN 12407 and suitable for permanent external applications under cover. Where there is direct weathering with de-icing salt exposure, we recommend a reliable sealer and rinsing off salt residues in spring.
Breccia Imperiale or a classic breccia marble — which suits better?
Visually, both are an expressive brecciated material signature. A classic breccia marble such as Breccia Pernice or Calacatta Viola is a warm marble patina with a genuine marble feel — acid-sensitive and with a higher maintenance requirement. Breccia Imperiale offers a very similar dramatic appearance in hard rock quality: acid-resistant, stain-resistant, fully fit for everyday kitchen use. For pure exposed surfaces with a marble patina, a classic breccia marble is the choice; for heavily loaded exposed surfaces and kitchen worktops, Breccia Imperiale is more practical.
How do I clean and care for Breccia Imperiale?
Daily care with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth — avoid acidic or strongly alkaline cleaners as well as abrasive pads. A silane- or polysiloxane-based sealer after installation gives additional protection against strongly staining substances; refresh every three to five years.
