Desert Stone

The decisive technical advantage of Desert Stone over many other sandstones is its high quartz content. While conventional sandstones often contain 60–80 % quartz, Desert Stone can show quartz contents considerably above that — which influences the material properties positively: higher compressive strength, lower water absorption, better freeze-thaw resistance and less susceptibility to acid attack.

In the slab, Desert Stone presents a warm red-brown to terracotta-orange ground tone that varies between lighter sand tones and stronger earth-red tones depending on the batch. The fine-grained sedimentary structure is recognisable as a delicate figure, without dramatic banding or veining. In places, subtle bedding lines are visible that reflect the original geometry of sediment deposition — a calm, authentically natural stone character with a warm Mediterranean atmosphere.

For the application this means: Desert Stone is a first choice for warm Mediterranean facades, floor areas, stairs, external architecture and warm rustic Mediterranean interiors. The warm red-brown tonality harmonises excellently with Corten steel, brushed brass, dark timber, sand-warm natural tones and muted earth tones. In prestige external surfaces and warm Mediterranean living schemes, the material develops an atmospheric, calm, almost desert-like warmth.

The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page. On request we produce external facades, floor and wall tiles, stair treads, skirtings, pool surrounds, wall elements and project-specific bespoke cuts from them.

For anyone comparing Desert Stone with other materials: stylistically close are other Indian sandstones such as Mandana Red, Modak sandstone and Rainbow Sandstone (all Rajasthan/India). In an international comparison, many Jordanian, Moroccan and Egyptian desert sandstones resemble its character. Anyone looking for a warmer but technically even more robust stone could switch to a red granite (New Imperial Red); anyone who needs a cooler Mediterranean character should go to beige sandstones such as Pietra di Liguria.

Our frank assessment: Desert Stone is a decidedly practicable choice for warm Mediterranean architectural projects that want to work with genuine natural stone — and at the same time offers above-average robustness for a sandstone. Anyone who needs maximum insensitivity to acid should turn to granite or quartzite. But anyone looking for the warm red-brown desert character of an authentic Indian sandstone — and wanting to take advantage of the economically attractive costing of Indian natural stone provenance — will find a very coherent solution here.