Background. Caesarstone was founded in 1987 in Kibbutz Sdot Yam in Israel and is regarded as one of the pioneers of industrial engineered quartz slab production. The company produces its slabs by the Bretonstone® vacuum vibro-compaction process and has been among the globally leading brands in this material segment for decades. The version presented here, 5000 London Grey, comes from the brand's 5-series, in which Caesarstone gathers its marble-inspired grades with pronounced veining – the design counterpart to the single-colour 2-series slabs, the finely speckled 3-series slabs and the industrial 4-series Concrete slabs. London Grey has been one of Caesarstone's absolute best-selling grades for years and is regarded as the brand's iconic Carrara-look slab.
Material build-up. A classic Caesarstone quartz slab consists of around 90–93 % natural quartz (SiO₂), about 7–10 % polymer binder on a polyester resin base as well as pigments and mineral additives. The veining is created in the Bretonstone process from differentially pigmented mixes that are introduced into the mould in several layers and compacted under vacuum. Quartz has a Mohs hardness of 7 (against calcite marble at Mohs 3) – which makes engineered quartz slabs considerably more scratch-resistant, more acid-resistant and free of pores. In spring 2024, alongside the classic quartz line, Caesarstone brought the Mineral™ line to market, in which a large part of the crystalline quartz was replaced by other mineral aggregates – this change is a direct response to the global discussion of silicosis risk during fabrication; the grade documented here, 5000 London Grey, corresponds to the historical quartz mix.
The 5000 London Grey version. London Grey is one of the calmest and most balanced marble-look slabs in the Caesarstone portfolio. The ground tone is a pale, slightly warm-toned cream white with a delicate greige nuance – not clinically cool, not pronouncedly warm, but a balanced natural tone. Distributed over the ground tone are softly flowing veins in mid grey and finer brownish-grey accompanying lines that run across the surface like the delicate marble veins of a classic Bianco Carrara. The vein pattern is organic, not regular but deliberately irregularly distributed – each slab shows a slightly individual picture that nevertheless remains predictable within the grade. In design terms the name “London Grey” refers to the restrained, elegantly British character – not to a specific geographical natural marble source.
Format and fabrication. Caesarstone supplies the slabs in the standard format 306 × 144 cm as well as in the jumbo format 327 × 162 cm, in 2 and 3 cm thicknesses; individual lines also in 1.2 cm and 0.6 cm (Caesarstone Slim) for wall claddings and furniture fronts. The slabs can be cut, profiled, drilled and edge-worked with diamond tooling. Standard edges are square, chamfered (V-chamfer, 45°), rounded (R3, R5) and finished profile edges such as bullnose or a mitred edge joint for 90° corner connections. With an organically veined slab such as London Grey, particular care in slab selection is worthwhile, because on multi-part workpieces the fine vein runs should be deliberately matched to one another.
Thermal and chemical properties. Engineered quartz is considerably more acid-resistant than marble, because the quartz aggregates themselves are inert to acid and the polyester accounts for only a small share of the volume. Even so: strongly concentrated acids (hydrochloric, sulphuric, nitric acid) and aggressive industrial chemicals attack the binder. Heat tolerance extends to roughly 150 °C for short periods; hot pots, frying pans or baking trays must never be set down directly on the surface, because direct point heat can cause discolouration or stress cracks. UV resistance is limited – the slab is clearly designed as an interior material and should not be permanently installed in fully sunlit conservatories or open loggias.
ROSSITTIS range. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. From these we produce kitchen worktops (standard and island), vanity tops, wall claddings (including kitchen splashbacks and bathroom walls), bar counters, reception desks, buffet and furniture tops, interior stairs with treads and risers as well as window sills. The calm Carrara feel suits classic premium kitchens, modern family kitchens and bathrooms with timelessly elegant lines; combined with oak, brass, bronze and matt wall colours, a classic premium picture emerges that is not anchored in any passing trend.
Comparison. Within the Caesarstone 5-series, London Grey is one of the best-selling grades worldwide. Stylistically related are 5141 Frosty Carrina (cooler, less warm) and 5151 Empira White (markedly more contrasting veins). Compared with genuine Bianco Carrara marble from the Apuan Alps, the Caesarstone version remains more acid-resistant, more scratch-resistant and more predictable in its play of veining – the natural marble looks more classical, livelier, more individual, but demands more care. Compared with CTX BasicQuarz 1611 Frost White, London Grey is more distinctly veined and closer to marble. Compared with porcelain with a Carrara decor (Laminam Calacatta lines, GEOLUXE Dionysos), the slab feels warmer to the touch and is less brittle, but is overall somewhat less resilient thermally and chemically.
Guarantee and brand. On its slabs in residential applications Caesarstone offers the “Caesarstone Forever” lifetime warranty, with clearly defined care and fabrication conditions. The brand is established Europe-wide among architects, interior fit-out contractors and premium kitchen studios.
An honest assessment. 5000 London Grey is one of the most timeless slabs in the Caesarstone family and has been a classic of the modern premium kitchen for years. Anyone looking for a calm, elegantly flowing Carrara feel with fine veining, without the dramatic staging or the acid sensitivity of a natural marble, will find in this material a proven premium engineered stone. Anyone who needs a dramatic statement material with powerful veins is better served by the 5100 Vanilla Noir or 6338 Woodlands grades.
