Gneiss from Brazil

Listed in our range under Granite.

New Kashmir White BRASIL

New Kashmir White BRASIL is the Brazilian version of the well-known Kashmir White granulite — a Precambrian medium-grained granulite from the Fazenda Segrada quarry area near Jequié in Bahia, Brazil, with a whitish-grey groundmass, black biotite stripes, isolated rosé-red almandine garnets and subtle warm undertones. Clearly to be distinguished from the Indian Kashmir White (a different quarry in India). Internationally also traded as Kashmir Bahia and White Brazilian Kashmir; used for exterior façades, statement wall claddings, floor areas, stairs, bar counters, window sills, skirtings and prestige building applications with a warm, elegant pale character.

New Kashmir White BRASIL is petrographically a granulite (DNSA stone 4205) — a highly metamorphic hard rock formed from an igneous protolith under extreme pressure and temperature conditions. In the international trade the stone is listed as “granite”, because in fabrication and mechanical properties it is handled like a classic hard stone. At ROSSITTIS we classify New Kashmir White BRASIL within the granite family in line with trade practice, following the widely used trade convention. Important: the trade name “New Kashmir White” is used both for this Brazilian variant and for an Indian granite — the two stones are completely different. The “BRASIL” qualifier expressly identifies the Brazilian Bahia selection.

Gneiss Brazil Frostbeständig Säurebeständig 2.640 kg/m³
Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs

Other trade names: KASHMIR BAHIA, RO-01-720

About New Kashmir White BRASIL

New Kashmir White BRASIL shows an exceptionally characterful pale granulite slab appearance with the distinctive Kashmir character. The groundmass consists predominantly of pale whitish-creamy areas with subtle warm beige and occasionally rosé-pink undertones — the typical 'Kashmir tone' that gives the stone the character its name refers to. Characteristic are the striking black biotite stripes that run across the slab in directional patterns and give the surface a subtly gneissic foliation. Particularly conspicuous are the red to burgundy garnet mineral dots (almandine, about 3 % mineral content) — they lend the stone isolated intense red accents that enliven the slab. The mineral composition is exceptionally well documented: 70 % microcline (potassium feldspar), 20 % quartz, 5 % plagioclase, 3 % garnet (almandine), 2 % further accessory minerals. The mineral structure is largely isotropic (without direction) with a subtle foliation. On a polished surface the stone develops a rich depth — the warm pale areas intensify, the black biotite stripes stand out plastically and the red garnets glow warmly. On a satin-honed surface the warm pale character is preserved but is more subtle.

In stock

Current availability from our warehouse.

80 slabs in stock · plus 31 blocks

Thicknesses: 1–4 cm · Finishes: Polished, Satin-honed · Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs

Updated daily from our live stock.

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 2.640 kg/m³
Druckfestigkeit 204,0 MPa
Biegezugfestigkeit 16,3 MPa
Wasseraufnahme 0,18 %
Frostbeständig Ja
Säurebeständig Ja

Suitability by application

Particularly suited to

Finishes

New Kashmir White BRASIL 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

As a Brazilian granulite, New Kashmir White BRASIL is an exceptionally robust hard stone with low water absorption (0.18 %), confirmed frost and acid resistance (DNSA) and very high 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 considerably easier to look after and ideally suited to intensive everyday use.

For interior applications we recommend a silane- or polysiloxane-based impregnation at first installation. On the pale groundmass, impregnation is particularly important, because pigments can otherwise settle more visibly than on dark hard stones. On polished surfaces a refresh every 5–8 years is enough; on heavily used kitchen worktops or in exterior applications, check every 3 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, but should nevertheless not be used, because they can attack the impregnation. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

For kitchen worktops New Kashmir White BRASIL is outstandingly suited: cut- and scratch-resistant (Mohs hardness 6–7), insensitive to heat (hot pots and pans can be set down directly for short periods, but longer heat exposure above 200 °C should still be avoided), acid-resistant and with excellent stain repellency. The pale, warm material effect with its isolated garnet accents gives designer kitchens an elegant liveliness without becoming restless. With the pale groundmass you should react promptly to spills of strongly pigmented substances (red wine, tomato sauce, turmeric).

For exterior applications New Kashmir White BRASIL is particularly well qualified: the DNSA-confirmed durability of the polish outdoors (durable outdoor polish), the low water absorption and the excellent frost resistance make the stone a first choice for demanding exterior façades with the gloss retained. Polished exterior façades keep their brilliance for years — a rare property that not all pale granites have.

For pool surrounds, outdoor terraces and fountain enclosures, a slip-inhibiting textured finish is mandatory — on smooth exterior surfaces there is a high risk of slipping when wet. In areas with frequent salt contact we recommend an additional impregnation refresh every 2–3 years.

Frequently asked questions

What is New Kashmir White BRASIL geologically?

New Kashmir White BRASIL is a Precambrian granulite from the Fazenda Segrada quarry area near Jequié in the Brazilian state of Bahia. Granulites are highly metamorphic hard rocks derived from an igneous protolith. Mineral composition: 70 % microcline (potassium feldspar), 20 % quartz, 5 % plagioclase, 3 % garnet (almandine), 2 % accessory minerals. DNSA lists the material under entry 4205. In the trade it is listed as a 'granite'; at ROSSITTIS we classify Kashmir White BRASIL within the granite family in line with trade practice.

What is the difference between Brazilian and Indian Kashmir White?

The trade name 'New Kashmir White' is used both for a Brazilian granulite (Bahia, the ROSSITTIS grade with the 'BRASIL' qualifier) and for an Indian granite (Karnataka, India) — the two are completely different materials from different quarries. The Brazilian version has characteristic red-burgundy garnet dots (almandine) and a somewhat warmer tone; the Indian version is more uniform, without garnet accents. When ordering we recommend always specifying the origin (Brazil Bahia or India Karnataka).

Which synonyms are there?

In international trade, New Kashmir White BRASIL also runs under the designations Kashmir Bahia (DNSA alias), Brazilian Kashmir White, White Brazilian Kashmir and occasionally simply Kashmir White (with a Brazil qualifier to distinguish it). All designations refer to the same Brazilian granulite from Bahia.

Which technical values does New Kashmir White BRASIL have?

Exceptionally strong values: bulk density 2,640 kg/m³, compressive strength 204 MPa (very high), flexural strength 16.3 MPa (exceptional), water absorption 0.18 % (very low), porosity 0.46 %, linear thermal expansion 0.9 mm/m/100K, modulus of elasticity 50.34 GPa, Mohs hardness 6–7. Full frost and acid resistance as a silicate rock. DNSA confirms a durable outdoor polish.

What are the red dots in New Kashmir White BRASIL?

The characteristic red to burgundy dots are almandine garnets (iron-aluminium garnet from the pyrope-almandine-spessartine system), which make up about 3 % of the mineral composition. They crystallised during the high-grade granulitic metamorphism in the Precambrian Bahia granulite complex. The garnets give the stone its characteristic visual identity, with warm red accents in the pale groundmass.

Is New Kashmir White BRASIL suitable for a kitchen worktop?

Outstandingly suited. With Mohs hardness 6–7, low water absorption (0.18 %), an exceptionally high compressive strength (204 MPa) and full acid resistance, the stone is cut-, scratch- and heat-resistant and does not absorb the acids in wine, lemon or vinegar. The warm pale material effect with its subtle garnet accents gives designer kitchens an elegant liveliness. With the pale groundmass you should react promptly to spills of strongly pigmented substances.

Which surface finishes are available for New Kashmir White BRASIL?

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

Is New Kashmir White BRASIL suitable for exterior façades?

Outstandingly suited. The DNSA-confirmed durability of the polish outdoors (durable outdoor polish) means that polished exterior surfaces retain their full gloss for years — a rare property that not all pale granites have. The low water absorption (0.18 %), the high compressive strength (204 MPa) and the frost resistance qualify the stone for demanding exterior façades in heavily weather-exposed locations.

What does New Kashmir White BRASIL 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.

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