Moulin Rouge is an exceptionally dramatic Brazilian serpentinite with a deep wine-red to Bordeaux base tone and spectacularly contrasting pale green to silver-grey veining that dramatically fragments the slab image as a net-like system. Petrographically a serpentinite, assigned in the trade to the marble family — the exclusive choice for statement wall claddings, exposed bar counters, feature walls, large-scale bookmatch patterns and prestigious interior architecture with a dramatic red-and-green statement look.
Petrographically a serpentinite from Brazil — a metamorphic silicate rock from hydrothermally altered ultramafic parent rocks. Assigned in the trade to the marble family.
Moulin Rouge is an exceptionally designed Brazilian serpentinite that has been established as a spectacular statement material in international design architecture since the 2010s. Brazil is among the world's leading suppliers of exotic natural dimension stones, and Moulin Rouge is one of the most dramatic and visually sensational representatives. The marketing name “Moulin Rouge” — French for “Red Mill” — honours the famous Parisian cabaret institution and refers to the theatrically dramatic material signature with its deep wine red and its high-contrast veins. In the stone trade Moulin Rouge, like most serpentinites, is assigned to the marble family — a convention established on the international market for polishable metamorphic silicate rocks.
Geologically it is a serpentinite — a metamorphic silicate rock formed by the hydrothermal alteration of olivine-rich ultramafic parent rocks. During this process the original olivine and pyroxene minerals are rebuilt into serpentine minerals (antigorite, lizardite, chrysotile) with the addition of water — a process that gives the rock its characteristically watery, lustrous mineral signature. The spectacular wine-red to Bordeaux base tone results from secondary iron-oxide impregnations — haematite and other iron oxides are the most important red pigments in the world of natural dimension stone and occur only occasionally in this concentration in serpentinitic breccias. The contrasting pale green to silver-grey veins arise from serpentine, chlorite and calcitic secondary mineralisations that cemented the rock in tectonic zones of weakness during or after metamorphosis. The orange and copper-brown accents are further iron-oxide mineralisations with a differing concentration. This complex mineralisation history explains the unique combination of a red ground and green veins.
Visually, Moulin Rouge is characterised by an exceptionally theatrical, almost cabaret-dramatic material signature. Over a powerfully wine-red to Bordeaux base tone, a net-like system of pale green to silver-grey vein markings spreads out, fragmenting the slab image into irregular red zones — an almost surreal composition in which the cool mint-green tonality interacts with the warm red tonality in maximum contrast. The slab-to-slab variation is considerable — every slab shows a unique vein composition. With bookmatch laying — mirror-image installation of adjacent slabs — particularly impressive, almost surrealist symmetrical large-scale patterns arise with the full dramatic effect of the multicoloured composition.
Technically, Moulin Rouge shows the values of a compact serpentinite: solid compressive strength, medium water absorption, medium hardness (Mohs ~3–4 in the serpentinitic portion, higher in the quartzitic-calcitic vein zones). As a silicate rock the serpentinitic main area is in principle acid-resistant — the calcitic vein zones, however, can react sensitively to prolonged exposure to acid, which is why caution is required in care. Heat resistance is good; hot pots can be set down directly for short periods. Compared with classic quartzites, Moulin Rouge is somewhat softer and more scratch-sensitive; compared with pure calcite marbles it is considerably more acid-resistant.
In interior fit-out, Moulin Rouge is a statement material par excellence for the highest design ambitions and exclusive architecture. Classic applications are feature walls in living rooms, hotel lobbies and entrance areas; bar counters and counter fronts; bathroom feature walls behind free-standing bathtubs; table and console tops as statement furniture; bookmatch wall claddings with a dramatic effect; fireplace surrounds with a statement character. The powerfully wine-red to Bordeaux tonality with its high-contrast mint-green vein markings harmonises particularly with dark timber in walnut, mahogany or oak, with brass, bronze and gold accents, with restrained black and with clear white. Moulin Rouge is a visual soloist of the highest expressive power — it works most strongly in restrained, refined surroundings in which it may act as the undisputed focal point. For intensively used kitchen worktops, Moulin Rouge is suitable only with reservations because of its serpentinitic mineralogy and its Mohs hardness — readily usable with moderate care, but more scratch-sensitive than quartzite or granite.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
9 slabs in stock · plus 2 blocks
Thicknesses: 2 cm · Finishes: Satin-honed · Available as: Slabs
Moulin Rouge 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 removed in a targeted way, creating a slight depth with a matt appearance. Veined serpentinites gain a particularly characterful look and feel in this way. Easy to care for in daily use; the more matt finish conceals minor traces of everyday care better than polished.
Care & fabrication
As a serpentinite (a silicate rock), Moulin Rouge is in principle acid-resistant in its serpentinitic main area — the calcitic and chloritic vein zones, however, can react sensitively to prolonged exposure to acid, which is why caution is required in care. For daily cleaning use warm water with a pH-neutral stone cleaning agent; aggressive household cleaners and abrasive sponges are to be avoided. Take up spilt acidic liquids (wine, lemon juice, vinegar) promptly, particularly in the areas with light vein zones. A professional impregnation after installation and then every 2 to 3 years is urgently recommended — it reduces the absorption of pigments (red wine, coffee, olive oil) and additionally protects the material surface. Hot pots can be set down on Moulin Rouge for short periods, but sustained heat should be buffered by trivets. With its medium Mohs hardness the stone is not as insensitive to hard cutting tools as a quartzite — cutting work should be carried out exclusively on chopping boards. Outdoors, Moulin Rouge is primarily conceived as an interior material; for external applications, denser hard stones are the more robust choice.
Frequently asked questions
What does the designation “Moulin Rouge” mean?
The marketing name “Moulin Rouge” — French for “Red Mill” — honours the famous Parisian cabaret institution, which has stood since 1889 in Paris-Montmartre as a synonym for theatrical bohemian elegance. The marketing association suits the dramatically red material signature of the stone, which with its deep wine red and its high-contrast mint-green veins recalls the theatrical stage aesthetic of the turn of the century.
What kind of rock is Moulin Rouge?
Petrographically, Moulin Rouge is a serpentinite — a metamorphic silicate rock formed by the hydrothermal alteration of ultramafic parent rocks. In the stone trade it is assigned, like most serpentinites, to the marble family — a convention established on the international market for polishable metamorphic silicate rocks. The red to Bordeaux base tone results from secondary iron-oxide impregnations, the contrasting green veins from serpentine, chlorite and calcitic mineralisations.
What are the mint-green vein markings?
The spectacularly contrasting pale green to silver-grey veins arise from serpentine, chlorite and calcitic secondary mineralisations that cemented the rock in tectonic zones of weakness during or after metamorphosis. These minerals reflect light in a characteristically cool mint-green spectrum — in Moulin Rouge, together with the iron-oxide red colouring, they produce the unmistakable red-green contrast.
Is Moulin Rouge suitable for kitchen worktops?
With reservations. As a serpentinite the main area of the stone is in principle acid-resistant, but at its medium Mohs hardness it is more scratch-sensitive than a quartzite or granite. The calcitic vein zones can react sensitively to prolonged exposure to acid. With a good impregnation and careful maintenance the material can be used for bar counters or islands set as design accents — for intensively used main worktops, hard stones such as granite or quartzite are the more robust choice.
Is Moulin Rouge suitable for bookmatch laying?
Outstandingly so. The dramatically high-contrast red-and-green structures create particularly impressive, almost surrealist symmetrical large-scale patterns when adjacent slabs are installed as mirror images — bookmatch laying makes Moulin Rouge one of the most spectacular statement materials for wall claddings, bar counter back walls and prestigious feature walls in the highest level of interior architecture. The presentation and slab selection should be viewed as samples before installation.
Which slab formats are usual for Moulin Rouge?
Standard large formats from the Brazilian quarries typically lie between 280 × 160 cm and 320 × 200 cm at thicknesses of 2 cm and 3 cm. Special thicknesses are also sourced through ROSSITTIS. Because of the high slab-to-slab variation, viewing the specific slabs (a sample presentation) is particularly important with Moulin Rouge — the actual slab should be assessed before installation.
What does Moulin Rouge 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.
