Indian Black Limestone is a classic Indian limestone with a deep black to dark anthracite base colour and fine whitish to silvery vein lines. A classic wall and floor stone of Mediterranean character for internal surfaces, covered pool surrounds, plinth details and designed visible surfaces with a calm black quality.
Other trade names: Astron, Black Kadappa, Dessert Black, Noir de Eglise, RO-02-173, verwechslungsgefahr
About Indian Black Limestone
Indian Black Limestone is a classic Indian limestone from the long-established limestone production regions of the Indian subcontinent — India is one of the most important producers of dark limestones for the European and North American market. Characteristic is a deep black to dark anthracite base colour with fine whitish or silvery vein lines and occasionally discreet golden accents. The slab image is very fine-grained and calmly patterned throughout; the typical marine sediment texture is visible only in close-up. At ROSSITTIS we carry Indian Black Limestone for wall cladding, internal floor surfaces, window sills, plinth details, covered pool surrounds, fountain surrounds and project-specific special fabrications calling for a calm black material effect.
Geologically, Indian Black Limestone is a dark limestone from the Indian carbonate sediment provinces. The main deposits of dark Indian limestones lie in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, where a family of related dark limestones has been quarried commercially for decades. Mineralogically the material consists predominantly of calcium carbonate with a high proportion of organic components, which are responsible for the deep black colouring.
The technical values are classic limestone values: sound compressive strength, moderate water absorption, acid sensitivity owing to the calcium carbonate content. Indian Black Limestone is therefore a classic interior and wall stone — not a pure hard rock solution but a designed natural stone with a calm, refined character. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar or carbonated drinks should not be left to act on the surface for extended periods, as they can leave dull patches — on a dark material these dull patches are less visible than on pale limestones, but they still need to be borne in mind. Outdoors, Indian Black Limestone can be used well under cover; where there is direct weathering in freeze-thaw zones we recommend a project-specific suitability assessment.
At ROSSITTIS, Indian Black Limestone is available as a raw slab (random slab), as floor tile, as tread and riser, as window sill, as skirting and as project-specific cut to size. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.
Our honest assessment: Indian Black Limestone is a coherent choice for projects looking for a calm, dark limestone with a classically elegant character — from designed wall cladding through floor surfaces to covered pool surrounds. Anyone who needs maximum acid resistance and ease of maintenance for heavily loaded kitchen worktops should choose an acid-proof hard rock, quartzite or black granite.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
80 slabs in stock · plus 8 blocks
Thicknesses: 3 cm · Finishes: Satin-honed, Honed C220 · Available as: Slabs
Indian Black Limestone is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.
Satin-honed
The surface is brushed — softer minerals are selectively removed, creating a subtle depth and a matte appearance. Strongly veined limestones in particular gain a characterful look and feel this way. The more matte finish conceals small etch marks better than a polish and stands up better to everyday use on heavily used interior surfaces.
Honed C220
A matt appearance created by fine honing with C220 grit — the level surface looks calm, with a somewhat more intense colour effect than C120; light honing marks are possible. More maintenance-intensive than polished, but more scratch-resistant and matt-elegant — a popular choice for modern floors and wall claddings.
Care & fabrication
As a calcareous natural stone, Indian Black Limestone is acid-sensitive and needs appropriate care. Immediately after installation we recommend a silane- or polysiloxane-based sealer — it protects against staining from wine, coffee, oil or tomato sauce and reduces water absorption. Routine cleaning is carried out with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth. You should absolutely avoid acidic cleaners (vinegar, citric acid, descalers), aggressive all-purpose cleaners and abrasive pads. Take up spilled acids on internal surfaces promptly. We recommend refreshing the sealer every two to three years.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Indian Black Limestone quarried?
The material comes from the Indian carbonate sediment provinces — the main deposits are in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Which finishes are available?
The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.
Is Indian Black Limestone suitable for kitchen worktops?
To a limited extent. As a calcareous natural stone, Indian Black Limestone is acid-sensitive — wine, lemon juice, vinegar or tomato sauce can leave dull patches after prolonged contact. On dark material these are less visible, but they still need to be borne in mind. For main worktops with heavy acid loading, hard rocks or quartzites are better.
Is Indian Black Limestone suitable for external surfaces?
It can be used well under cover. Where there is direct weathering in freeze-thaw zones we recommend a project-specific suitability assessment.
Indian Black Limestone or black granite — which suits better?
Black granite (Devil Black, Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe) is acid-resistant and better suited to heavily loaded kitchen worktops. Indian Black Limestone brings a calmer, less glossy material effect with a finer vein figure — ideal for designed wall cladding and internal floor surfaces where a classically elegant dark character is wanted.
How do I clean and care for Indian Black Limestone?
Daily care with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth. Acidic cleaners are absolutely to be avoided. A silane-based sealer after installation is essential. Refresh every two to three years.
What does Indian Black Limestone cost?
The price depends on the batch, thickness, surface finish and fabrication — with natural stone there is no serious flat rate per square metre. Business customers see prices once their B2B account is activated; private customers receive a complete quote through a fabricator near them.
