Limestone

Listed in our range under Marble.

Grigio Carnico

Grigio Carnico is a classic dark Italian dimension stone from the quarry district around Timau and Paluzza in the Carnic Alps (province of Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia). Petrographically a metamorphosed Triassic bituminous limestone, but traditionally listed as a marble in the marble trade. The polished slab shows a deep black to anthracite base tone, crossed by powerful, organic white calcite veins and fine stylolite structures. At ROSSITTIS we fabricate Grigio Carnico into prestige wall claddings, interior floors, stairs, vanity tops, window sills and exclusive components with a classic, elegant dark natural stone character.

Petrographisch ein triassischer mariner bituminöser Kalkstein aus den Karnischen Alpen (Friaul-Julisch Venetien, Italien) – im Marmorhandel traditionell als „Marmor" geführt, geologisch jedoch kein klassisch metamorphisierter Marmor. Die kraftvollen weißen Aderstrukturen sind tektonisch entstandene Calcit-Klüfte aus der alpinen Gebirgsbildung.

Limestone Italy Frostbeständig 2.688 kg/m³

Available as: Slabs · 1 of 46 reserved

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About Grigio Carnico

Background. Grigio Carnico (Italian for “Carnic grey”) is one of the most tradition-rich dark Italian dimension stones. The deposits lie in the Carnic Alps (Alpi Carniche) in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, on Italy's northern edge near the Austrian border — with the main quarries around Timau and Paluzza in the province of Udine. The stone has been extracted for centuries and shaped numerous Italian and Austro-Hungarian buildings, classic foyers and sacral interiors. It is frequently encountered in the Viennese cityscape and in the Habsburg prestige buildings, as well as in Italian Art Deco and in modern premium architecture.

Geology. Petrographically, Grigio Carnico is a Triassic marine limestone — usually from the Norian or Rhaetian stage (Triassic system, around 220 to 200 million years old). The typical dark base colour arises from finely distributed bituminous substances (hydrocarbon residues from the original marine deposits). The powerful white vein structures are tectonically formed calcite fissures — during the Alpine orogeny the sediment was folded, faulted and re-cemented with recrystallised calcite. Some slabs additionally show stylolites (jagged pressure-solution seams), which give the appearance extra depth. In the marble trade the stone is traditionally listed as “marble”, although petrographically it is a bituminous limestone and not a metamorphosed marble in the strict geological sense.

Appearance. The base tone is a deep anthracite-grey to almost black bituminous limestone mineral fabric. Distributed across the ground are powerful, organically flowing white calcite veins — broad, branching, with a clearly legible tectonic preferred direction. Occasionally, finer grey accompanying lines and stylolites additionally appear. Compared with Nero Marquina from Spain, Grigio Carnico often appears somewhat denser in its vein courses; against Marquina imitations in porcelain (Laminam Nero Greco) it is considerably livelier and more individual.

Technical values. For a carbonate stone, Grigio Carnico is remarkably dense and mechanically resilient: bulk density around 2,688 kg/m³, water absorption only around 0.055 % (very low), compressive strength around 124 MPa, flexural strength around 13.8 MPa. Mohs hardness 3–4 (calcite-dominated). Frost resistance is stated in the data sheet — which makes the stone suitable for external applications too. The acid sensitivity nevertheless remains: the calcite reacts with wine, lemon, tomato and acidic cleaners.

The ROSSITTIS range. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. From these we fabricate prestige wall claddings (including bathroom walls and columns), interior floors in large format or tile format, stairs with treads and risers, window sills, vanity tops, skirtings, bar counters, fireplace surrounds, buffet and furniture tops. The dramatic cream-on-black look comes into its own most strongly as an island or wall accent in elegant classic-modern interiors; combined with brass, bronze, light oak, walnut and matt warm wall colours, the typical premium look of Austro-Italian Viennese modernism emerges.

Comparison. Within the dark natural stone spectrum, Grigio Carnico belongs in the classic Italian premium segment alongside the Spanish Nero Marquina (higher in contrast in its markings, often more dramatic), the Belgian Petit Granit (anthracite grey, richer in fossils) and the Greek Pieria (anthracite black, calmer). The Italian advantage lies in the typical Viennese-modernist character with calmly flowing veins instead of strictly graphic lines. Against porcelain with a similar decor (Laminam Nero Greco, Optimum Surfaces dark marble looks), the natural stone remains livelier and more individual, but in kitchen use it is more maintenance-intensive (acid-sensitive) and outdoors only suitable to a limited extent in the long term (preserving the polish).

An honest assessment. Grigio Carnico is a powerful, classically elegant choice for clients and architects looking for a dark Italian premium dimension stone with a lively marble character and an Austro-Italian architectural background. It is not a robust, acid-proof dimension stone for carefree kitchen worktops — as a calcite marble it reacts to acids with etch marks. Anyone who accepts this material character and is looking for a lively, high-contrast dark natural stone has in Grigio Carnico one of the most attractive European dark dimension stones at hand.

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 2.688 kg/m³

Druckfestigkeit 124,0 MPa

Biegezugfestigkeit 13,8 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 0,06 %

Frostbeständig Ja

Säurebeständig Nein

Suitability by application

Suitable with limitations

Küche & Arbeitsplatten △ Limited

Finishes

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

Poliert

Politur ist die klassischste Veredelung für Marmor und Kalkstein — eine glänzende Oberfläche mit höchstmöglicher Farbintensität und ausgeprägter Tiefenwirkung der Aderung. Je nach mineralischer Zusammensetzung kann die Wirkung stellenweise mattglänzend sein. Säureempfindlich — Wein, Zitrone und Essig hinterlassen Ätzspuren bei längerer Einwirkung.

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

Cleaning. In everyday use, warm water, a soft cloth or a clean mop and a neutral to slightly alkaline pH stone cleaner are sufficient. Soapy marble care products and mild all-purpose cleaners without acid are suitable. Take up spilled acidic liquids — wine, citrus juice, vinegar, cola, tomato — immediately, because on the calcite substrate they leave dull etch marks that can only be removed by re-polishing. On the dark surface such changes are visually particularly conspicuous.

Do not use. Acetic and citric acid, limescale and bathroom cleaners, anti-limescale sprays, descalers, WC cleaners, concrete and rust removers, highly concentrated all-purpose cleaners and chlorine-based bleaches are off limits. On the dark slab, acid damage is particularly visible. Abrasive pads (green scouring pads, steel wool) scratch the polished surface.

Sealing. A silane-polysiloxane-based sealer is advisable for all applications. It protects the surface against grease, oil and water stains without discolouring it. We recommend the first sealing directly after installation and refreshing it every two to three years. Important: a sealer protects against water and oil stains, not against acid etching.

Dark slabs — particular care notes. On a dark stone surface, water rings, limescale marks, fingerprints and soap residues become particularly clearly visible as lighter shadows. We recommend wiping dry promptly with a soft microfibre cloth after every use.

Kitchen. On kitchen worktops, Grigio Carnico can be used with reservations. Acidic foods leave dull patches without protection. With a good sealer and in the satin version, use on bar counters and island tops is practicable; for heavily used working surfaces with daily acid exposure an acid-proof alternative (light quartzite, engineered quartz, porcelain) makes more sense.

Bathroom. In the bathroom, Grigio Carnico is an elegant choice for vanity tops, wall claddings, bath surrounds and showers. Consistently avoid anti-limescale sprays and limescale-dissolving bathroom cleaners. Wipe off water droplets and soap residues with a soft cloth.

Floors and stairs. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. Dirt-trapping mats at the entrance reduce the ingress of scratching particles.

Outdoors. Frost resistance is given, but the polish under open weathering changes over the long term into a matted surface. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. Consistently avoid de-icing salt in winter.

Repair. Dull acid marks or scratches can be locally re-polished by the stonemason. Deeper damage can be filled with pigmented polyester-resin-based marble filler and colour-matched into the surface.

Frequently asked questions

What is Grigio Carnico geologically?

Petrographically, Grigio Carnico is a Triassic marine limestone — usually from the Norian or Rhaetian stage, around 220 to 200 million years old. The dark base colour arises from finely distributed bituminous substances (hydrocarbon residues from marine deposits); the powerful white veins are tectonically formed calcite fissures from the Alpine orogeny. In the marble trade the stone is traditionally listed as “marble”, although petrographically it is a bituminous limestone.

Where does Grigio Carnico come from?

From the Carnic Alps (Alpi Carniche) in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (northern Italy), near the Austrian border. The main quarries lie around Timau and Paluzza in the province of Udine. The stone has been quarried for centuries and shaped numerous Italian and Austro-Hungarian buildings.

What technical values does Grigio Carnico have?

Bulk density around 2,688 kg/m³, water absorption only 0.055 % (very low for a carbonate stone), compressive strength around 124 MPa, flexural strength around 13.8 MPa. Mohs hardness 3–4. Frost resistance is stated — external use is possible, though with the typical acid sensitivity of a calcite stone.

Is Grigio Carnico suitable for kitchen worktops?

With reservations. Like all calcite stones, Grigio Carnico reacts to acids (wine, lemon, vinegar, tomato, cola) with dull etch marks. With a good silane sealer and in the satin version, use on bar counters is practicable; for heavily used working surfaces with daily acid exposure an acid-proof alternative (light quartzite, engineered quartz, porcelain) makes more sense.

Which surfaces does ROSSITTIS supply?

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

Which cleaners may I use on Grigio Carnico?

Permitted are warm water, neutral to slightly alkaline stone care products and mild all-purpose cleaners without acid. Off limits are acetic, citric and hydrochloric acid, limescale cleaners, anti-limescale sprays, concrete and rust removers, chlorine-based bleaches and solvents.

Is Grigio Carnico suitable for external areas?

Frost resistance is given, but the polish under open weathering changes over the long term into a matted surface. For classic external applications (fountains under a roof, pool surrounds, stairs) we recommend a matt, textured surface finish. Consistently avoid de-icing salt in winter, because it attacks the calcite.

Grigio Carnico or Nero Marquina?

Both are classic dark calcite dimension stones with white veining. Grigio Carnico (Italy, Carnic Alps) usually shows calmly flowing, broadly drawn veins in a denser arrangement; Nero Marquina (Spain, Basque Country) is usually higher in contrast with more finely branching, graphic vein lines. Carnico has an Italian-Austrian architectural background (Viennese modernism among others); Marquina an Iberian one.