Granulit

Listed in our range under Granite.

Marlyn Blue

Marlyn Blue is an expressive Brazilian granulite of the granite trade family with a dark blue to slate-grey-blue groundmass, light creamy quartz-feldspar areas and characteristic luminous raspberry-red almandine garnet mineral points. Internationally also traded as Marlin Blue Granite and Marlin Blue; used for expressive statement wall claddings, bookmatched compositions, bar counters, designer kitchen worktops and prestige interior surfaces with a dramatic blue-red material character.

Petrographically, Marlyn Blue is a granulite — a high-grade metamorphic plutonic rock that arose in the field of high-pressure, high-temperature metamorphism. In international trade the stone is listed as a “granite”, because in fabrication and mechanical properties it is handled like a classical hard stone. At ROSSITTIS we classify Marlyn Blue in the granite family in line with trade usage, following the widely established trade convention for Brazilian blue hard-stone granulites and migmatites.

Granulit Brazil 2.710 kg/m³

Available as: Slabs

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About Marlyn Blue

Marlyn Blue shows an exceptionally expressive slab character with an unusual colour combination. The ground tone is a deep, saturated mixture of dark blue, slate-grey-blue and anthracite-grey areas that shift, depending on the light, between deep navy blue and muted steel grey. The blue colouring derives from embedded minerals such as cordierite/iolite or bluish-tinted quartz/feldspar — a phenomenon characteristic of Brazilian blue granulites. Embedded in the dark groundmass are light creamy quartz and feldspar areas that lend the slab surface a directional migmatitic movement structure — the light areas flow in irregular bands and swirls through the blue matrix. Characteristic are the striking luminous raspberry to burgundy-coloured almandine garnet mineral points, distributed like bright sparks through the dark blue composition. These garnets crystallised during the high-grade metamorphic formation of the granulite and give Marlyn Blue an unambiguous visual identity with its characteristic blue-red contrast. On a polished surface the stone develops an exceptionally dramatic depth effect — the blue areas intensify, the light bands shimmer silkily and the red garnets glow warmly. Every slab image is a unique piece — with Marlyn Blue, selection from real slab images is particularly worthwhile, because the distribution of the light bands and the density of the red garnets vary strongly from block to block. The stone is outstandingly suited to bookmatched installation, because the flowing band structures and the garnet points produce dramatic, symmetrical large-scale motifs when two slabs are mirrored side by side.

Geologically, Marlyn Blue is a Precambrian granulite from Brazil — a high-grade metamorphic hard rock that arose from a magmatic protolith under extreme pressure and temperature conditions (over 700 °C, several kilobars of pressure) in the lower crust of the earth. Granulites are distinguished by their exceptional strength, density and their characteristic mineral association of plagioclase, pyroxene, garnet and in part cordierite. The red garnets are typically almandine (an iron-rich garnet from the pyrope-almandine-spessartine system), formed during high-grade metamorphism. In international trade the synonyms Marlin Blue Granite (the most frequent English spelling), Marlyn Blue and Marlin Blue circulate.

Technically, Marlyn Blue shows solid values for a Brazilian blue hard stone: bulk density 2,710 kg/m³, compressive strength 185.4 MPa, flexural strength 16.48 MPa, water absorption 0.16 %, Mohs hardness around 6.5–7. As a silicate rock the stone is acid-resistant — wine, lemon juice, vinegar or sanitary cleaners leave no etch marks as they would on marble or limestone. The high compressive and flexural strength qualify Marlyn Blue for demanding internal and external applications. Detailed technical data sheets are available from the importer on a project basis for demanding large-scale projects.

The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page.

Compared with other blue Brazilian selections, Marlyn Blue is a special choice with its characteristic scatter of garnets: Blue Bahia (a sodalite granite from Bahia, with a strong uniform lapis lazuli blue and without pronounced garnets) is more intense and more uniform in colour; Blue River (a cordierite-bearing granite) shows a similar dark blue tone with directional gold-white bands; Azul Macauba (a quartzite) is markedly lighter blue with a greater white content. Set against the black-and-red Tempest Black (a migmatite with garnets), Marlyn Blue brings the dramatic blue-red colour combination — both are suited to designer compositions with a high-contrast material effect. For architectural projects with a dramatic blue-red statement effect — designer bar counters in premium restaurants, statement kitchen islands with bookmatched installation, prestige wall claddings in high-end hotels and exclusive fireplace surrounds with a cool, dramatic character — Marlyn Blue is an exceptional and unmistakable choice in the upper premium segment of Brazilian blue hard stones.

In stock

Current availability from our warehouse.

5 slabs in stock · plus 1 block

Thicknesses: 2 cm · Finishes: Polished · Available as: Slabs

Updated daily from our live stock.

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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 2.710 kg/m³

Druckfestigkeit 185,4 MPa

Biegezugfestigkeit 16,5 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 0,16 %

Finishes

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

Polished

Polishing is the most classic finish in the hard stone segment — a mirror-smooth, high-gloss surface with the highest possible colour intensity and maximum depth effect in the mineral structure. As an acid-resistant silicate stone, polished granite is easy to care for and the first choice for kitchen worktops, wall claddings and prestigious exposed surfaces.

Care & fabrication

As a Brazilian granulite, Marlyn Blue is a robust hard stone with low water absorption (0.16 %), full acid resistance and solid compressive and flexural strength. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar, cola, sanitary cleaners or descalers leave no etch marks as they would on marble or limestone — the stone is markedly easier to care for and well suited to intensive everyday use.

For internal applications we recommend a sealing treatment based on silane or polysiloxane at first installation. On polished surfaces, refreshing it every 5–8 years is sufficient depending on use; on heavily used kitchen worktops or bar counters, check it every 2–3 years. Sealing protects against deep penetration by oil, grease and pigments — otherwise discolouration can show up on the heterogeneous granulite structure, particularly on the lighter quartz-feldspar areas.

Day-to-day care is carried out with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft cloth or microfibre mop. Clear warm water is usually sufficient. Acidic cleaners are in principle unproblematic, but should nevertheless not be used, because they can attack the sealing treatment. The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page.

For kitchen worktops, Marlyn Blue is well suited: cut- and scratch-resistant, insensitive to heat (hot pots and pans can be set down directly for short periods, though longer exposure to heat above 200 °C should nevertheless be avoided), acid-resistant and with good stain repellency thanks to its low water absorption. The expressive blue-red-and-cream band structure conceals small signs of use remarkably well. The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page.

For external applications we recommend a project-specific data sheet check of frost resistance before ordering. If released for external use, a matt, textured finish is sensible for slip resistance. Polished external surfaces can show minimal losses of gloss after years in positions heavily exposed to UV — and the blue tones in particular can fade slightly under intense UV exposure over very long periods, as is the case with many blue natural stones. For external façades we recommend a shaded position or a UV-stabilising sealing treatment. In areas with frequent contact with salt we recommend an additional annual refresh of the sealing treatment.

Frequently asked questions

What are the red points in Marlyn Blue?

The characteristic luminous raspberry to burgundy-coloured points in Marlyn Blue are almandine garnets — minerals from the garnet system (iron-aluminium garnets from the pyrope-almandine-spessartine series). They crystallised during the high-grade granulitic metamorphism in the Brazilian granulite complex. The garnets give the stone a characteristic visual identity with its dramatic blue-red contrast — a colour combination that is rare in the worldwide natural stone family.

What is Marlyn Blue geologically?

Marlyn Blue is a Precambrian granulite from Brazil — a high-grade metamorphic hard rock that arose from a magmatic protolith under extreme pressure and temperature conditions (over 700 °C) in the lower crust of the earth. Characteristic is the mineral association of plagioclase, pyroxene, garnet and cordierite. Traded as a granite; at ROSSITTIS we classify the material as a granite in line with trade usage.

What synonyms are there?

In international trade, Marlyn Blue usually runs under the designation Marlin Blue Granite (the principal English designation — probably named after the marlin fish because of the blue colouring). Further spelling variants are Marlyn Blue and Marlin Blue. All designations refer to the same Brazilian blue granulite with its characteristic scatter of garnets.

What technical values does Marlyn Blue have?

Solid values: bulk density 2,710 kg/m³, compressive strength 185.4 MPa, flexural strength 16.48 MPa, water absorption 0.16 %, Mohs hardness around 6.5–7. Full acid resistance as a silicate rock. Detailed technical data sheets are available from the importer on a project basis for demanding large-scale projects. These values qualify Marlyn Blue fully for demanding internal applications including intensively used kitchen worktops.

Is Marlyn Blue suitable for bookmatched installation?

Outstandingly suited. With bookmatched installation (mirror-image laying of two slabs), the flowing migmatitic band structure produces symmetrical, dramatic large-scale motifs — the red garnet points set harmonious accents along the axis of symmetry. For prestige wall claddings, bar counters and designer statement surfaces with a blue-red character, bookmatching is a very fitting composition.

Is Marlyn Blue suitable for the kitchen worktop?

Yes, well suited. With a Mohs hardness of around 6.5–7, low water absorption (0.16 %), solid compressive strength (185.4 MPa) and full acid resistance, Marlyn Blue is cut-, scratch- and heat-resistant and absorbs no wine, lemon or vinegar acids. The expressive blue-red band structure conceals small signs of use remarkably well and suits designer kitchens with a deliberately dramatic material composition. For a calmer kitchen with less visual weight we recommend alternative selections.

What finishes are available in Marlyn Blue?

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

Marlyn Blue or Blue Bahia?

Both are Brazilian blue hard stones, but they differ markedly in character and appearance. Blue Bahia (a sodalite granite from Bahia) shows a very strong, uniform lapis lazuli blue without pronounced garnets — the slab appearance is more intense in colour and more uniform. Marlyn Blue (a granulite) shows darker, more mixed blue-grey tones with a flowing migmatitic band structure and characteristic red almandine garnets — the slab appearance is more expressive and richer in contrast. For maximum intensity of blue, Blue Bahia is the choice; for dramatic blue-red contrasts with movement structure, Marlyn Blue is the more expressive.

What does Marlyn Blue 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.