Gabbro

Listed in our range under Granite.

Nero Assoluto Brazil

Nero Assoluto Brazil is a deep black Brazilian gabbro with a fine-grained, slightly speckled structure. Across the dark anthracite base tone, very fine light plagioclase inclusions are evenly distributed, giving the slab a calm, closed-looking depth effect from medium distance and a lively granular character close up. At ROSSITTIS we fabricate Nero Assoluto Brazil into long-lasting kitchen worktops, stairs, treads and risers, window sills, floor coverings, wall claddings, pool surrounds and façade elements, wherever a robust, acid-resistant black stone with a classic dimension stone feel is called for.

Petrographically a gabbro – an intrusive basic plutonic rock of plagioclase and pyroxene, listed in the international stone trade as “black granite”. The Brazilian selection comes from the Precambrian shields of south-eastern Brazil (Bahia, Espírito Santo, Ceará) and differs from the Indian and Zimbabwean selections under the same trade name “Nero Assoluto” through a somewhat more granular feel with fine plagioclase inclusions.

Gabbro Brazil

Available as: Slabs

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About Nero Assoluto Brazil

Background. “Nero Assoluto” (“absolute black”) is a collective term in the international stone trade for deep black igneous rocks – petrographically mostly gabbros, norites or dolerites. Various producing countries supply their own selections under this trade name: India (very fine-grained and homogeneous), Zimbabwe (the Mutoka quarry north of Harare, world-famous for a particularly dense black effect), South Africa (the Belfast region) and Brazil. The Brazilian selection is listed in the trade as “Nero Assoluto Brazil” or “Brazil Absolute Black” and differs from the Asian and African variants through a somewhat more granular look with more pronounced plagioclase inclusions.

Geology and deposits. Petrographically, Nero Assoluto Brazil is a gabbro – an intrusive plutonic rock from the family of the basic magmatites. The mineral composition consists predominantly of plagioclase (calcium-rich feldspar, here in dark habit) and pyroxene (augite), frequently with proportions of olivine, magnetite and ilmenite. The Brazilian deposits lie in the Precambrian shields of south-eastern Brazil (the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Ceará) and are over 540 million years old. In contrast to the original meaning of the word “granite”, it is therefore not a light-coloured granitic plutonic rock with a high quartz content, but a dark basic plutonite – a selection listed in international trade as a “black granite”.

Appearance. The base tone is a deep, slightly warm-toned black anthracite. Across the surface, very fine light plagioclase crystals are evenly distributed as irregular speckles of 0.5 – 2 mm in size – close up they create a granular, mineral image, and from medium distance a closed-looking, calm black tone with a slight shimmer of depth. Here and there somewhat lighter clusters or short mineral streaks are visible, which give the selection character without interrupting the overall effect. Nero Assoluto Brazil thus differs markedly from the almost structureless Indian and Zimbabwean selections, but retains the same dimension stone character.

Technical properties. As a basic plutonite, Nero Assoluto Brazil is exceptionally resistant: the density lies in the range 2.9 – 3.0 g/cm³ (markedly higher than with quartz granites and therefore also heavier to install), compressive strength is typically 200 – 280 MPa, flexural strength 15 – 25 MPa, water absorption 0.1 – 0.3 %. The stone is resistant to frost and de-icing salt, fully UV-stable and – unlike marble or limestone – almost completely acid-resistant, because its mineral composition is silicate (plagioclase and pyroxene do not react to acids such as vinegar, wine or lemon). Mohs hardness is around 6 – 7. The high density also means a high thermal inertia – the slab stores solar warmth and heat from the interior heating system.

The ROSSITTIS range. The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page. From the slabs we fabricate kitchen worktops, bar counters, islands, vanity tops, wall claddings, floor tiles cut to size, treads and risers, window sills, skirtings, external floor coverings, pool surrounds, memorials and façade elements. For modern kitchen concepts with dark island fronts, Nero Assoluto Brazil is one of the most classic and most durable choices.

Comparison. Within the black gabbro family, Nero Assoluto Brazil shows a somewhat more granular feel than the finely structured Indian selections from Karnataka (“Premium Black”, “Nero Absoluto India”) and than the closed, smooth appearance of Mutoka material from Zimbabwe. Compared with Star Galaxy, the metallic gleaming bronzite inclusions are absent; compared with its sister product Nero Picasso, the marble-like white veining. Compared with black marbles such as Nero Marquina or Negro Marquinia, Nero Assoluto Brazil is markedly harder, acid-resistant and more scratch-resistant – the choice is one between softer, dramatic marble veining and a calm, granular black dimension stone effect with full everyday suitability. Within the Brazilian black selections, Nero Assoluto Brazil positions itself as the standard selection with consistent availability and a mid-range price level – more attractive in price than the Mutoka material, visually livelier than the Indian premium selections.

A frank assessment. Nero Assoluto Brazil is a powerful, classic choice for any application that needs a robust, acid-resistant black stone with a calm dimension stone feel. The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page. Anyone looking for an almost structureless, smooth premium black should reach for the Indian or Zimbabwean selections; anyone who wants the warm, dramatic veining of black marbles should consider Nero Marquina or Saint Laurent. For most architectural and construction projects with a durable black effect, however, Nero Assoluto Brazil is the proven standard choice.

In stock

Current availability from our warehouse.

29 slabs in stock · plus 2 blocks

Thicknesses: 2 cm · Finishes: Polished, Satin-honed · Available as: Slabs

Updated daily from our live stock.

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Suitability by application

Finishes

Nero Assoluto Brazil 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.

Satin-honed

The satin surface is created by brushing, which selectively removes softer minerals and gives the surface a slight depth. A matte appearance with subtle light reflection and a warm feel to the touch. Easy to maintain, insensitive to scratches and suited to everyday use — a popular alternative to a polish in modern kitchens and living spaces.

Care & fabrication

Cleaning. In everyday use, warm water, a soft cloth or a clean mop and a pH-neutral to slightly alkaline stone cleaner are sufficient. Mild all-purpose cleaners, mild washing-up liquid foam and all commercially available sanitary and kitchen cleaners are suitable. Take up spilled liquids promptly – the material itself is acid-resistant, but on the dark material surface dried drops remain visible as lighter veils.

Do not use. Strongly acidic special cleaners (HF-containing wheel cleaners, industrial glass cleaners), aggressive scouring sponges or abrasive pastes. Even though gabbro is chemically resistant, scratching cleaning agents can scour the polish matt.

Sealing. Recommended, but not obligatory. Nero Assoluto Brazil has a water absorption of around 0.1 – 0.3 % and is dense in itself. Sealing with a silane/siloxane-based stone protection makes handling grease, oil and limescale-water films easier on kitchen and bathroom surfaces, because the substances adhere less well.

Dark slabs – particular care notes. On a dark polished surface, water rings, limescale marks, fingerprints and matt polishing traces become particularly clearly visible as lighter shadows. In everyday use that is the essential difference in care compared with lighter selections. The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page. For dark kitchen worktops, a consistent wiping-down routine with a soft microfibre cloth is advisable.

Kitchen and bathroom. In kitchen and bathroom use it is technically exceptionally robust: hot pots can be set down directly on the untreated slab for a short time – on sealed surfaces we nevertheless recommend a trivet, because very high temperatures can break down the sealer locally. Acids such as vinegar, wine, lemon and tomato leave no traces; anti-limescale sprays and all commercially available sanitary cleaners are approved.

Floors and stairs. Nero Assoluto Brazil is outstandingly suited as an internal and external floor. The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page.

Outdoors and frost. Fully suitable. The stone is resistant to frost and de-icing salt, UV-stable and can be used as a back-ventilated façade panel, external wall cladding, pool surround, external floor covering and memorial. Deep dark external surfaces heat up markedly in direct summer sun – that is a design aspect and one relevant to barefoot use, not a material defect.

Scratches and repair. At Mohs 6 – 7, gabbro is very scratch-resistant. Deeper damage or matt patches can be locally reworked on polished slabs by re-polishing with diamond pastes – this work belongs in the hands of a specialised stonemason or joint technology firm.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of material is Nero Assoluto Brazil?

Petrographically a gabbro – an intrusive basic plutonic rock of plagioclase and pyroxene, listed in the international stone trade as “black granite”. The Brazilian selection is quarried in the Precambrian shields of south-eastern Brazil (Bahia, Espírito Santo, Ceará) and belongs to the family of “Nero Assoluto” selections, which under the same trade name also come from India, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

How does Nero Assoluto Brazil differ from Indian or Zimbabwean Nero Assoluto?

Visually: Nero Assoluto Brazil shows a somewhat more granular, livelier feel with pronounced fine plagioclase inclusions – the Indian and Zimbabwean selections appear almost structureless and smoothly homogeneous. Technically: all three are high-quality gabbros, though the Mutoka material from Zimbabwe is regarded as the densest and deepest black premium material worldwide and is priced correspondingly higher. The Brazilian selection positions itself as an attractively priced, readily available standard choice.

Why is Nero Assoluto called a “black granite” when petrographically it is a gabbro?

In the international stone trade the term “granite” is used for all hard, crystalline, polishable plutonic rocks – including gabbro, diorite and norite. Petrographically correct, geology distinguishes between acidic plutonites (granite in the narrower sense, light-coloured, with a high quartz content) and basic plutonites (gabbro, dark, without quartz). Brazilian, Indian and Zimbabwean black selections are petrographically almost always gabbros or norites – but in the trade they are all listed as “black granite”.

Is Nero Assoluto Brazil acid-sensitive like black marble?

No. In contrast to marbles and limestones, gabbro consists of silicate minerals (plagioclase, pyroxene) – and these are almost completely acid-resistant. Vinegar, wine, lemon, tomato and carbonic acid leave no etch marks. That makes Nero Assoluto Brazil one of the easiest black options to maintain for kitchen worktops.

What finishes suit Nero Assoluto Brazil?

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

Is Nero Assoluto Brazil suitable for external surfaces, façades and pool surrounds?

Yes, fully. The selection is resistant to frost and de-icing salt, UV-stable and acid-resistant and can be used as a back-ventilated façade panel, external wall cladding, pool surround, external floor covering, memorial and sculpture. In direct summer sun, however, deep dark external surfaces heat up noticeably – this is to be taken into account in the design and for barefoot areas.

What technical values does Nero Assoluto Brazil have?

Typical values for Brazilian gabbro selections: density 2.9 – 3.0 g/cm³, compressive strength 200 – 280 MPa, flexural strength 15 – 25 MPa, water absorption 0.1 – 0.3 %, Mohs hardness around 6 – 7. Resistant to frost and de-icing salt, UV-stable, almost completely acid-resistant. Specific batch values can differ between individual deliveries – on request we make the current test certificate available.

Nero Assoluto Brazil or Nero Marquina?

Nero Assoluto Brazil is more robust, harder, acid-resistant and more scratch-resistant – the rational standard choice for kitchens, stairs and external surfaces. Nero Marquina (a Spanish marble) appears more dramatic and more exclusive through its characteristic white veining, but as a marble it is acid-sensitive and scratches more readily – making it more suitable for selected wall accents and bathroom areas than for heavily used work surfaces.

What does Nero Assoluto Brazil 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.