LAMINAM® Calacatta Black

LAMINAM® Calacatta Black is a porcelain large-format slab from the Italian premium manufacturer Laminam, from the dramatic Diamond marble-look collection. The slab shows a deep black-anthracite ground tone with subtle warm undertones, crossed by characteristic powerful white calcite veins in a tree-like branched distribution – stylistically a quotation of the rare black Calacatta natural marble. At ROSSITTIS we fabricate Calacatta Black into heat- and acid-proof statement kitchen worktops, islands, prestige wall claddings with bookmatch potential, bathroom fit-outs, floor coverings, outdoor kitchens and façade elements with a dramatically elegant dark marble effect.

Sinterkeramische Großtafel (Sintered Stone) der italienischen Premium-Marke Laminam (System-Gruppe, Fiorano Modenese) aus der dramatischen „Diamond"-Marmor-Look-Kollektion – kein gewachsener Naturstein, kein Quarzkomposit und kein klassisches Porzellan. Variante „Calacatta Black" zeigt einen tief schwarz-anthrazitfarbenen Grundton mit kraftvoll baumartig verzweigten weißen Calcit-Adern – stilistisch eine Anspielung auf den seltenen schwarzen Calacatta-Naturmarmor. Die spezielle „Polished Starlit"-Variante innerhalb der Diamond-Kollektion zeigt die polierte Oberfläche mit zusätzlich eingearbeiteten Funkelelementen, die einen leuchtenden Stern-Effekt erzeugen – ein Premium-Effekt der Marke. Lebensmittelsicher, antibakteriell, hitzefest, säurefest, UV-stabil und außentauglich.

Keramik Italy

Available as: Slabs · 4 of 36 reserved

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About LAMINAM® Calacatta Black

Background. Laminam® is the Italian premium brand for porcelain large-format slabs, founded in 2001 in Fiorano Modenese (province of Modena) as a subsidiary of the System group. Laminam is one of the European pioneers of large-format porcelain. The "Diamond" collection within the Laminam programme line is the manufacturer's most dramatic marble-look line – with the highest-quality natural marble quotations and with the special "Polished Starlit" polish variant, which creates a luminous star effect on the surface through incorporated sparkling elements. "Calacatta Black" is the black tonal variant within the Diamond family – stylistically an allusion to the rare black Calacatta natural marble with powerful white veining.

Material structure and manufacture. A Laminam slab consists of around 100 % mineral raw materials – feldspar, quartz, clay minerals and pigments – without polymer binders. The mixture is compacted in a patented pressing process in a mould, provided with decorated pigment layers for the surface appearance (multi-layer printing for the depth effect of the veins) and then sintered at temperatures above 1,200 °C in a tunnel kiln. In this sintering the mineral particles partly fuse into a closed crystalline mineral structure – the end product is a fully mineral, through-sintered slab with no resin content. From this follow decisive technical advantages over engineered quartz: water absorption below 0.1 %, very high heat resistance (hot pans can be set down directly), full UV resistance and therefore suitability for external use, frost resistance and almost complete acid resistance.

The Calacatta Black variant. The ground tone is a deep black-anthracite material black with subtle warm undertones – not the hard solid black, but a warmer-looking, mineral-deep black with fine lighter gradations for a sense of depth. Across the surface run characteristic powerful white calcite veins in a tree-like branched distribution – the veins vary from hair-fine to powerfully broad and create a dramatic dynamic of movement that comes very close to a real Calacatta marble. Stylistically, Calacatta Black is an allusion to the rare black Calacatta natural marble (also "Calacatta Black" or "Nero Calacatta") with powerful white veining – as a controllable, reproducible porcelain variant. The unidirectional veining can be composed into impressive V, X or quad patterns by bookmatch mirroring of adjacent slab pieces.

Formats and thicknesses. Laminam supplies the slabs in several large formats – the standard format is around 162 × 324 cm and 100 × 300 cm. The thicknesses are graded in 5, 6, 12 and 20 mm; the 5 and 6 mm slabs are particularly suited to wall claddings, furniture fronts, interior doors and façades, while the 12 and 20 mm slabs are standard for interior floors, external floor coverings and kitchen worktops.

Thermal and chemical properties. Unlike engineered quartz, there is no polyester resin here – so the typical weaknesses fall away: Calacatta Black is heat-proof (hot pans can be set down directly, the slab is unaffected well beyond 200 °C), almost completely acid-proof (wine, lemon, tomato, vinegar leave no traces) and fully UV-stable (suitable for external use). Frost and weather resistance are given. Water absorption: 0.1 % (typical of porcelain). Food-safe and antibacterial.

ROSSITTIS range. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. From the slabs we fabricate statement kitchen worktops, islands, bar counters, buffet and furniture tops, prestige wall claddings with bookmatch mirroring, bathroom fit-outs (washstands, wall and floor applications, showers with proper waterproofing), window sills, skirtings, interior floors in large format or tile format, external floor coverings, pool surrounds and rear-ventilated façade systems.

Comparison. Within the Laminam Diamond marble-look family, Calacatta Black positions itself as the dark, dramatic tonal variant with an iconic black Calacatta character. Related Diamond grades include light Calacatta variants (white-grey veined) and other marble-look compositions. In competitive comparison with other porcelain brands, Neolith Calacatta Black, Optimum Surfaces Pietra Grey 086, Caesarstone Lioli and Dekton (Cosentino) offer similar dark marble-look grades, each with its own material interpretation. Compared with real black Calacatta natural marble (very rare and expensive), the porcelain variant is predictable and acid-proof – the natural marble appears geologically more authentic with individual batch variation, but is acid-sensitive (calcitic) and considerably higher in price. Within the Laminam portfolio the Diamond line is the most dramatic; calmer options are the concrete-look lines (Fokos), the dimension-stone-based lines (Pietra di Cardoso, Pietra di Savoia) and the solid-colour lines.

Honest assessment. Calacatta Black is the ideal choice for any application calling for a dramatically luxurious dark marble character with characteristic powerful white veining. The grade works particularly strongly as a statement kitchen island with bookmatch (one of the most iconic application images), as a prestige wall cladding with symmetrical vein mirroring, as a bathroom washstand in luxurious master-bath concepts and as an outdoor kitchen surface. Anyone looking for a calm, even dimension-stone effect should switch to concrete-look grades such as Laminam Fokos or to classic dark solid-colour slabs; anyone who prefers authentic black Calacatta natural marble with geological authenticity should accept the higher care requirement and the acid sensitivity of the marble material – as well as the considerably higher price level.

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.

Wasseraufnahme 0,10 %

Suitability by application

Finishes

LAMINAM® Calacatta Black is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.

Poliert

Die einzige glänzende Oberfläche bei Keramik — das Material wird gebrannt und anschließend poliert. Hochglanz mit ausgeprägter Farbintensität und Spiegelung. Im Gegensatz zum polierten Naturstein ist polierte Keramik die empfindlichste Oberfläche dieser Materialklasse — Mikrokratzer können bei intensiver Nutzung sichtbar werden.

Bocciardato gestockt

Inspiriert von der gestockten Oberfläche von Naturstein — die Fläche wirkt körnig und weist durch die gebrannte Keramikoberfläche eine subtile Rauigkeit auf. Durch den Brand bleibt die Oberfläche geschlossen und pflegeleicht. Rutschhemmend — für stark beanspruchte Bodenflächen und Außenbereiche mit hoher Trittsicherheit.

Care & fabrication

Cleaning. In everyday use, warm water, a soft cloth or a clean mop and a neutral to slightly alkaline pH cleaner are sufficient. Mild all-purpose cleaners, mild washing-up foam and all commercially available sanitary and kitchen cleaners without hydrofluoric acid (HF) are suitable. The porcelain is almost completely acid-proof – even acetic, citric and hydrochloric acid have practically no effect on the slab. Take up spilled liquids promptly, because on the dark surface every dried trace can remain visible as a lighter film; the material itself, however, is non-porous and therefore stain-proof.

Do not use. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) and fluoride-bearing cleaners are the only class of substance that can genuinely attack porcelain – they occur practically only in industrial glass and stone cleaners and are not relevant in the household.

Sealing. Not required – porcelain is inherently dense and non-porous, water absorption is 0.1 %.

Dramatic dark marble-look slabs – particular care notes. On a deep black-anthracite porcelain with dramatic white veining, water marks, limescale spots, fingerprints and wiping streaks are particularly clearly visible as lighter shadows. In everyday use this is the essential care difference compared with lighter or more textured grades. On dark kitchen worktops and bathroom surfaces, a consistent wipe-dry routine with a soft microfibre cloth is advisable.

Kitchen and bathroom. Technically almost unbeatable in kitchen and bathroom use: hot pans can be set down directly for short periods, acids such as vinegar, wine, lemon and tomato leave no traces, and anti-limescale sprays and all commercially available sanitary cleaners are approved. Food-safe and antibacterial.

Bookmatch and statement application. Calacatta Black is outstandingly suited to bookmatch mirroring of adjacent slab pieces – the powerful veining produces impressive V, X or quad bookmatch patterns with a symmetrical effect of movement. We recommend planning the slab layout before installation with our stone technology service. The special "Polished Starlit" variant with its star effect reinforces the nocturnal character of the slab.

Outdoors and frost. Fully suitable. The slab is UV-stable, frost- and weather-resistant and can be used as a rear-ventilated façade panel, external wall cladding, outdoor kitchen surface, pool surround and external floor covering. Deep dark external surfaces heat up considerably in direct summer sun – that is a design consideration and one relevant to barefoot use, not a material defect.

Scratches and repair. Porcelain is very hard (about Mohs 7) and therefore considerably more scratch-resistant than most natural materials. Deeper damage cannot simply be re-polished – repair is carried out by replacing the affected workpiece.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of material is LAMINAM® Calacatta Black?

A porcelain large-format slab (sintered stone) from the Italian premium brand Laminam (System group, Modena), from the Diamond marble-look collection. Mineral raw materials (feldspar, quartz, clay minerals, pigments) are compacted in a pressing process without polymer binders and sintered at over 1,200 °C in a tunnel kiln. It is not a natural stone and not an engineered quartz, but a fully mineral, through-sintered slab.

What does the "Diamond" collection mean?

The Diamond collection is Laminam's most dramatic marble-look line, with the highest-quality natural marble quotations and with the special "Polished Starlit" polish variant, which creates a luminous star effect on the surface through incorporated sparkling elements. Within the Diamond family, Calacatta Black is the black tonal variant.

What exactly does Calacatta Black look like?

A deep black-anthracite material black as the ground tone with subtle warm undertones, crossed by powerful white calcite veins in a tree-like branched distribution. Stylistically a quotation of the rare black Calacatta natural marble with its characteristic dramatic veining.

What is the Polished Starlit effect?

The special "Polished Starlit" variant within the Diamond collection shows the polished surface with additionally incorporated sparkling elements that create a luminous star effect. With light falling from the side, the slab looks like a night sky – a particularly dramatic premium character for statement wall claddings.

Is Calacatta Black suitable for bookmatch installations?

Yes, outstandingly so. The unidirectional powerful veining can be composed into impressive V, X or quad bookmatch patterns by mirroring adjacent slab pieces – on large wall surfaces in particular this creates dramatic symmetrical reflections. We recommend planning the slab layout before installation with our stone technology service.

Which slab formats and thicknesses does Laminam offer?

Standard formats are 162 × 324 cm and 100 × 300 cm, in thicknesses of 5, 6, 12 and 20 mm. The thinner thicknesses (5 and 6 mm) are particularly suited to wall claddings, furniture fronts, interior doors and façades; the 12 and 20 mm slab is standard for interior floors, external floor coverings and kitchen worktops.

Is Calacatta Black suitable for external surfaces, façades and pool surrounds?

Yes, fully. Porcelain is UV-stable, frost- and weather-resistant and can be used as a rear-ventilated façade panel, external wall cladding, outdoor kitchen surface, pool surround and external floor covering. In direct summer sun, however, deep dark external surfaces heat up noticeably – this should be taken into account in the design and for barefoot areas.

Calacatta Black or real black Calacatta natural marble?

Calacatta Black (porcelain) remains predictable, acid- and scratch-proof as well as completely non-porous with a reproducibly consistent appearance – the rational choice for kitchen worktops, external applications and heavily used interior surfaces. Real black Calacatta natural marble (very rare and expensive) appears geologically more authentic with individual batch variation, but is acid-sensitive (calcitic) and requires sealing. The choice is one between reproducible dramatic effect with full everyday suitability (porcelain) and geological authenticity with a higher care requirement and a considerably higher price (natural marble).