Gabbro

Listed in our range under Granite.

Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1

Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 is the highest quality class of the world-famous deep black norite/gabbro from the Mutoko quarry area north-east of Harare in Zimbabwe. An exceptionally dense (3,040 kg/m³), fine-grained and absolutely evenly black groundmass, DNSA-confirmed frost- and acid-resistant (DNSA 4628). In international trade also listed as Rhodesia Black, Black Impala (variant) and Mutoko Black; it is regarded as the absolute gold standard for deep black architectural and design applications — kitchen worktops, bar counters, sculptures, gravestones, external façades, prestigious floor areas and large architectural statement compositions.

Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 is petrographically a fine-grained norite/gabbro (DNSA 4628), that is, a plutonic igneous rock with a high plagioclase and pyroxene content. In the international trade it is traditionally listed as “black granite”, because in fabrication it is handled like a classic hard stone (Mohs hardness 6.5–7, fully polishable). At ROSSITTIS we classify Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 within the granite family in line with trade practice, following the widely used trade convention.

Gabbro Zimbabwe Frostbeständig Säurebeständig 3.040 kg/m³

Available as: Slabs

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About Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1

Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 shows an exceptionally deep, almost pure black base tone with an absolutely even fine-grained mineral structure. The slab surface appears closed, calm and almost uniform — isolated, extremely fine light mineral dots of plagioclase feldspar are visible on close inspection but barely stand out visually. On a polished surface the stone develops the famous “Assoluto” effect: an almost mirror-like deep black with impressive optical depth. The mineral structure is isotropic (without direction), meaning there is no vein pattern, no layering and no preferred orientation — it is this exceptional homogeneity that makes Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 the first choice for the highest aesthetic demands. The C1 designation is a commercial quality class denoting the finest, most even and most inclusion-free selection — without traces of veining, without glassy patches, without visible felsite inclusions. Lower selections (J, T, others) show isolated lighter mineral flecking or fine veining.

Geologically, Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 is a Precambrian norite/gabbro — a plutonic igneous rock formed during early earth history (over 2.5 billion years old) in the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe. Its main constituent is plagioclase feldspar (labradorite-bytownite) together with dark pyroxene minerals (augite/hypersthene) and accessory magnetite minerals — the latter two are responsible for the intense black colouring and the high bulk density of 3,040 kg/m³ (well above a typical granite at ~2,700 kg/m³). The quarry area lies in Mutoko, a region around 140 km north-east of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. The DNSA natural stone reference lists the material under the identifier 4628 with complete technical data. Several synonyms circulate in international trade: Rhodesia Black (DNSA 3360, an older trade name from the colonial era), Black Impala, Mutoko Black, Zimbabwean Black Granite and Negro Africa. The designation “Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe” comes from the Italian marble industry and has established itself as a premium trade name.

Technically, Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 shows exceptional values that make it one of the mechanically most capable commercially traded natural stones: bulk density 3,040 kg/m³ (around 12 % heavier than a typical granite), compressive strength 228 MPa (very high), flexural strength 31 MPa (exceptional), water absorption only 0.11 % (extremely low), Mohs hardness 6.5–7. According to DNSA the stone is expressly frost- and acid-resistant — both properties are officially confirmed in the data sheet. This makes Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 fully fit for everyday use in the most demanding interior and exterior applications, including extreme structural loads, external façades in heavily weather-exposed locations and intensively used public floor areas.

At ROSSITTIS we carry Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 as a raw slab in 20 mm and 30 mm thickness, in tiles for floor and wall applications, as a tread and riser for stairs, window sill, skirting, bar counter and for project-related cutting to size. The stone is also ideally suited as pool coping, as a fountain element and for external façades. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Compared with other deep black architectural stones such as Belfast Black (Irish lava rocks, often with a greenish cast), Star Galaxy (Indian granite with golden bronze mica dots), Nero Africa Premium (South African, somewhat less even), Nero Imperial (Indian, coarser-grained) or Nero Angola (Angolan, with recognisable plagioclase tablets), Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 brings the calmest, most even and deepest black groundmass — it is generally regarded as the gold standard for the highest black requirements. Against Belfast Black or Nero Africa Premium, block-to-block consistency is particularly high, which is decisive on large-area projects with long slab sequences. For architectural projects with the highest aesthetic demands — premium designer kitchens with a full matt-black staging, sculptures and art objects, prestigious hotel entrances, black floor and façade surfaces with absolute depth, gravestones and memorials as well as high-grade structural applications with the highest strength requirements — Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 is the most expressive and at the same time most reliable choice in the worldwide range of black natural stone. The C1 selection sits in the premium segment; for more price-sensitive projects the J or T classes are sensible alternatives with somewhat lower visual consistency.

In stock

Current availability from our warehouse.

83 slabs in stock · plus 4 blocks

Thicknesses: 2 & 3 cm · Finishes: Polished, reverse honed, Flamed + brushed once · 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 3.040 kg/m³

Druckfestigkeit 228,0 MPa

Biegezugfestigkeit 31,0 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 0,11 %

Frostbeständig Ja

Säurebeständig Ja

Suitability by application

Finishes

Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.

Polished, reverse honed

A slab usable on both sides: a polished face side with the highest possible colour intensity and mirror gloss, the reverse honed (C220) with a satin-gloss, calmer appearance. It allows two application looks on a single piece of material — flexible for design variants and for constructions visible from both sides.

Flamed + brushed once

The surface is roughened by heat and brushed once to smooth sharp-edged mineral residues and remove loose material. The feel is somewhat gentler than purely flamed, it remains slip-resistant, and the colour is less intense than polished. The standard choice for outdoor areas, terraces and heavily used floor areas.

Care & fabrication

As a norite/gabbro, Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 is an exceptionally robust hard stone with extremely low water absorption (0.11 %), confirmed frost and acid resistance (DNSA) and very high compressive and flexural strength. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar, cola, bathroom cleaners or descalers leave no etch marks as they would on marble or limestone — the stone is considerably easier to care for and ideally suited to intensive everyday use.

One particularity applies to polished black surfaces: the mirror-like depth shows every water and wiping-streak detail with excessive clarity, because pure black offers no masking effects. Dry cleaning with a polishing microfibre cloth after damp mopping is essential for a clear appearance — on light or patterned stones, streaks are less disturbing than on Nero Assoluto. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

For interior applications we recommend a light impregnation on a silane or polysiloxane basis at first installation. On polished surfaces a refresh every 8–10 years is sufficient depending on use; on heavily used kitchen worktops, check every 5 years. Impregnation protects against greasy rims on highly polished surfaces, which can otherwise be briefly visible (though they often dissipate by themselves after a short time even without impregnation, because the stone is extremely dense).

Daily 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 (the stone is acid-resistant), but should nevertheless not be used, because they can attack the impregnation.

For kitchen worktops Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 is outstandingly suitable: exceptionally resistant to cutting and scratching, insensitive to heat, acid-resistant and with excellent stain repellency thanks to its extremely low water absorption. Hot pots and pans may be set down directly for short periods, but longer heat exposure above 250 °C should nevertheless be avoided. The dark base tone shows crumbs, flour and food residues more clearly than light selections — that is an aesthetic question, not a material disadvantage.

For exterior applications, with its DNSA-confirmed frost resistance, its exceptional strength and its low water absorption, Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 is stable against weathering over the long term. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. For pool surrounds, external terraces and fountain surrounds a slip-inhibiting textured surface is mandatory — on smooth external surfaces there is a high risk of slipping when wet.

In hot climate zones the dark base tone stores a great deal of solar energy — on external surfaces used barefoot, such as pool surrounds, this can lead to unpleasant surface temperatures in Mediterranean or subtropical climates. A flamed surface slightly reduces solar heating through increased albedo; alternatively use it in shaded areas or combine it with cooled irrigation.

Frequently asked questions

What is Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 geologically?

Petrographically, Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 is a fine-grained norite/gabbro — a plutonic igneous rock from the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe (over 2.5 billion years old). Its main constituents are plagioclase feldspar (labradorite-bytownite), pyroxene minerals (augite/hypersthene) and magnetite. DNSA lists the material under identifier 4628. In international trade the stone is traditionally listed as “black granite”, because in fabrication it is handled like a classic hard stone. At ROSSITTIS we classify it within the granite family as is customary in the trade, in line with trade convention.

What does the C1 designation mean?

C1 is a commercial quality class denoting the finest, most even and most inclusion-free selection of Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe — without traces of veining, without glassy patches, without visible felsite inclusions. It is the premium selection with the highest visual consistency. Lower classes (J, T and others) show isolated lighter mineral flecking or fine veining and are somewhat less expensive. For the highest aesthetic demands on large-area projects, C1 is the first choice.

Which synonyms are there?

In international trade, Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe is also listed under the designations Rhodesia Black (an older trade name from the colonial era, DNSA 3360), Black Impala, Mutoko Black, Zimbabwean Black Granite and Negro Africa. The designation “Nero Assoluto” comes from the Italian marble industry and has established itself internationally as a premium trade name. All designations refer to the same stone from the Mutoko quarry area.

What technical values does Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 have?

Exceptionally strong values: bulk density 3,040 kg/m³ (around 12 % heavier than a typical granite), compressive strength 228 MPa, flexural strength 31 MPa, water absorption 0.11 % (extremely low), Mohs hardness 6.5–7. Frost and acid resistance confirmed by DNSA. These values make Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 one of the mechanically most capable commercially traded natural stones worldwide — fully fit for everyday use in the most demanding interior and exterior applications.

Is Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 suitable for the kitchen worktop?

Outstandingly suitable — it is regarded as one of the best stones for kitchen worktops of all. With a Mohs hardness of 6.5–7, extremely low water absorption (0.11 %), exceptionally high compressive strength (228 MPa) and full acid resistance, the stone is resistant to cutting, scratching and heat and absorbs no acids from wine, lemon or vinegar. The dark base tone does, however, show crumbs and flour more clearly than light selections — that is an aesthetic question, not a material one.

Which surface finishes are available for Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1?

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

Where does Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 come from?

The stone comes from the Mutoko quarry area, around 140 km north-east of Harare in Zimbabwe — a region in the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe, one of the most significant early Precambrian igneous provinces in the world. The quarry area has been supplying the globally traded “Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe” to the premium marble industry for decades.

What is the difference between Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe and Nero Assoluto India?

Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe (Mutoko) is regarded as the gold standard with the calmest, most even and deepest black groundmass. Nero Assoluto India (often from Karnataka or Andhra Pradesh) is comparable in appearance, but depending on the selection can show somewhat lighter areas or fine bluish reflections. Availability of Indian selections is usually better, but block-to-block consistency is less even than with Mutoko. For the highest visual demands on large-area projects, Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 is the most expressive choice.

What does Nero Assoluto Zimbabwe C1 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.