Slate

Multicolor Schiefer

Multicolor Schiefer is the German market designation for Brazilian Bambui Multicolor Slate — a Precambrian clay slate (argillite) from the Paraopeba quarry area north of Belo Horizonte in Minas Gerais. Characteristic is the exceptionally multicoloured slab appearance with a grey-blue groundmass, luminous rust-orange accents and greenish and beige colour zones — a lively natural play of colour. Internationally also traded as Bambui Rusty Slate, Autumn Leaves Slate, Greyhound Color and Rusty Slate; used for exterior façades, garden paths, paving, floor areas, exterior stairs, wall accents and prestige building applications with a warm, naturalistic, Mediterranean-inspired character.

Slate Brazil Frostbeständig Säurebeständig 2.720 kg/m³

Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs

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About Multicolor Schiefer

Multicolor Schiefer shows an exceptionally lively, naturalistic multicoloured slate character. A dynamic play of colour is distributed across the whole slab: a grey-blue groundmass, luminous rust-orange accents, subtly greenish areas, beige transition zones and occasional dark grey zones. The rust-orange accents — which give the stone its English trade names 'Rusty Slate' and 'Autumn Leaves' — arise from oxidised iron minerals during the original sedimentation and the later metamorphism. The material effect recalls autumn leaves, mossy surfaces or weathered natural surfaces. The natural riven surface structure (cleft texture) gives the material its characteristic tactile depth and shows the fine foliation of the metamorphic rock. On riven surfaces the stone retains its authentic craft character; on calibrated surfaces a uniform slab thickness is guaranteed. Important: with slates only fine honing is possible (no high-gloss polish) — the fine-grained layered structure will not carry a full gloss like polished granite or marble.

Geologically, Multicolor Schiefer is a Precambrian clay slate (argillite) from the Bambui slate complex in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. The quarries lie in the Paraopeba region north of the state capital Belo Horizonte. Petrographically a metamorphic slate from originally clayey sediments, consolidated and cleavable through low-grade metamorphism. The DNSA dimension stone reference lists the material under entry 900 with the main name 'BAMBUI MULTICOLOR SLATE'. Several synonyms are in circulation in international trade: Bambui Multicolor Slate (the DNSA main name), Bambui Rusty Slate, Autumn Leaves Slate (an English description of the autumn foliage look), Greyhound Color, Rusty Slate and Multicolor Slate Brazil. The German designation 'Multicolor Schiefer' is a generic market designation — the DNSA anchor classification as Bambui Multicolor Slate is the best available DNSA identification, though different suppliers may also market similar Brazilian multicolour slates from other quarries under 'Multicolor Schiefer' — when ordering we recommend a project-specific slab selection.

Technically Multicolor Schiefer shows solid values for a Brazilian slate: bulk density 2,720 kg/m³, an exceptionally high flexural strength of 31.3 MPa (higher than that of many granites), water absorption 0.49 %, abrasion resistance 7.54 (Italian standard), Mohs hardness 3–4 (typical for slate). Frost and acid resistance are confirmed by DNSA. The high flexural strength (31.3 MPa) is typical of slate and qualifies the stone for demanding applications such as exterior façades and paving. As regards the stability of a polish outdoors, the typical slate restriction applies: only fine honing is possible, no high gloss, which clearly defines the ideal field of use as naturalistic exterior and interior applications.

At ROSSITTIS we stock Multicolor Schiefer as a raw slab in 10, 20 and 30 mm thickness (standard gauges for floor and wall applications), in tiles for floor and wall applications, as a skirting and for project-specific cutting to size. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Compared with other multicolour slate grades, Multicolor Schiefer / Bambui Multicolor Slate is the typical Brazilian version with pronounced rust-orange accents: Indian multicolour slates (e.g. Lakha, Mont Blanc Slate) are often more intense in colour with more pronounced green and blue-grey tones; Spanish slates (e.g. Theiß slate) are calmer and more uniform; Welsh slate is markedly darker and more uniform. Within the Brazilian slate family, the Bambui slate from Minas Gerais is the most widely used multicolour version. For architectural projects with a warm, naturalistic Mediterranean or rustic character — exterior façades on residential buildings with a warm character, garden paths with a naturalistic effect, paving in Mediterranean-inspired grounds, exterior stairs, pool surrounds with a Mediterranean character, building applications with high weather resistance and naturalistic, rustic wall accents — Multicolor Schiefer is an expressive and dependable choice within the warm Brazilian slate range.

In stock

Current availability from our warehouse.

71 slabs in stock · plus 22 blocks

Thicknesses: 1–3 cm · Finishes: Riven, calibrated, Riven · Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring 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 2.720 kg/m³

Biegezugfestigkeit 31,3 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 0,49 %

Frostbeständig Ja

Säurebeständig Ja

Finishes

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

Riven, calibrated

Like riven (a naturally split, rough matte surface), additionally with a calibrated reverse: the underside of the slab is ground level for an even thickness and simplified installation. Recommended for outdoor areas, paving and bonded façade applications that demand precise dimensional accuracy.

Riven

The surface corresponds to a natural splitting of the rock — the layered characteristic typical of slate comes fully into its own. A matt, rough appeal with high slip safety and an originally natural effect. Recommended for outdoor areas, wall claddings and heavily used paved surfaces.

Care & fabrication

As a Brazilian clay slate, Multicolor Schiefer is a robust natural stone with low water absorption (0.49 %), confirmed frost and acid resistance (DNSA) and an exceptionally high flexural strength. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar or sanitary cleaners leave no etch marks as they would on marble or limestone — the stone is acid-resistant and well suited to intensive everyday use.

For interior applications we recommend a silane- or polysiloxane-based impregnation at first installation. On a riven surface, impregnation is particularly worthwhile, because without it the micro relief can hold dirt. On slate surfaces a refresh every 5–8 years is enough; on heavily used floor areas or in exterior applications, check every 3–5 years.

Day-to-day care is done with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft cloth or microfibre mop. Clear warm water is usually enough. Acidic cleaners are in principle unproblematic (acid resistance confirmed by DNSA), but should nevertheless not be used, because they can attack the impregnation. On textured riven surfaces, films of dirt are more visible than on smooth surfaces — regular cleaning with a soft brush in the fine relief structures is advisable.

Particularly important for slate: the Mohs hardness (3–4) means that slate is more sensitive to mechanical impact and sharp tools than granite (Mohs hardness 6–7). For exterior applications with potential loading (paving with vehicle traffic, exterior stairs with heavy footfall) you should choose a sufficient material thickness (at least 20–30 mm).

For exterior applications Multicolor Schiefer is outstandingly suited — the low water absorption and the DNSA-confirmed frost resistance make the stone the naturalistic choice for exterior façades, garden paths, paving and pool areas. The riven surface offers excellent slip resistance — ideal for pool areas used barefoot and for Mediterranean outdoor grounds.

For pool surrounds and outdoor terraces the natural riven surface is ideal — it offers excellent slip resistance and suits Mediterranean, naturalistic grounds. In areas with frequent salt contact (de-icing salt, pool chlorine) we recommend an additional impregnation refresh every 2–3 years.

Frequently asked questions

What is Multicolor Schiefer geologically?

Multicolor Schiefer is a Precambrian clay slate (argillite) from the Bambui slate complex in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. The quarries lie in the Paraopeba region north of Belo Horizonte. Petrographically a metamorphic slate from originally clayey sediments. DNSA lists the material under entry 900 with the main name 'BAMBUI MULTICOLOR SLATE'. At ROSSITTIS we classify Multicolor Schiefer within the slate family.

Which synonyms are there?

In international trade, Multicolor Schiefer also runs under the designations Bambui Multicolor Slate (the DNSA main name), Bambui Rusty Slate, Autumn Leaves Slate (an English description of the autumn foliage look), Greyhound Color, Rusty Slate and Multicolor Slate Brazil. The German designation 'Multicolor Schiefer' is a generic market designation.

Which technical values does Multicolor Schiefer have?

Solid values for a Brazilian slate: bulk density 2,720 kg/m³, an exceptionally high flexural strength of 31.3 MPa (higher than that of many granites), water absorption 0.49 %, abrasion resistance 7.54 (Italian standard), Mohs hardness 3–4. DNSA confirms frost and acid resistance. These values qualify the stone for demanding exterior and interior applications including exterior façades, paving and pool areas.

What are the rust-orange accents?

The characteristic rust-orange colour zones in Multicolor Schiefer arise from oxidised iron minerals (haematite, limonite) embedded in the clay slate during the original sedimentation and the later metamorphism. These iron oxide accents give the stone its characteristic 'rusty' character — hence the international trade names 'Rusty Slate' and 'Autumn Leaves'. The material effect recalls autumn leaves or weathered natural surfaces.

Which surface finishes are available for Multicolor Schiefer?

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

Is Multicolor Schiefer suitable for exterior façades?

Outstandingly suited — and this is one of its most important applications. The DNSA-confirmed frost resistance, the low water absorption (0.49 %), the exceptionally high flexural strength (31.3 MPa) and the natural riven surface structure make the stone the naturalistic choice for exterior façades with a warm, Mediterranean-inspired, naturalistic character.

Is Multicolor Schiefer suitable for paving and pool areas?

Yes, outstandingly suited. The riven surface offers excellent slip resistance — ideal for pool areas used barefoot and for Mediterranean outdoor grounds. The high flexural strength qualifies the stone for paving; for paving with vehicle traffic we recommend slab thicknesses of at least 20–30 mm.

How do I clean and care for Multicolor Schiefer?

As a Brazilian slate, Multicolor Schiefer is acid-resistant and therefore easy to look after: day-to-day care with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a microfibre cloth is enough. We recommend impregnation at first installation, especially on the riven surface; for interior applications a refresh interval of 5–8 years, and for heavily used exterior applications a check every 3–5 years. On textured riven surfaces, regular cleaning with a soft brush in the relief structures is advisable.

What does Multicolor Schiefer 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.