Ocean Red is an Iranian prasinite (greenschist family, a metamorphic silicate rock) from the Birjand region in eastern Iran, with a dramatically dark red-brown ground image, white calcite veins and characteristic turquoise-green copper mineral inclusions. Assigned in the trade to the slate family — suitable for designed wall claddings, floor surfaces, entrance areas, prestigious interior surfaces and statement architectural applications.
Petrographically a prasinite (greenschist family, a metamorphic silicate rock) from the Birjand region in eastern Iran. Since prasinites belong to the greenschist family, the material is listed in the slate group.
Ocean Red is one of the most expressive stones in the Iranian natural stone range — a dramatic, brecciated mineral image on a deep red to oxblood-brown ground, shot through with light white calcite veins and surprising turquoise-green mineral inclusions. These turquoise-green accents are copper-bearing secondary minerals such as malachite or chrysocolla, which are isolated in some grades and more extensive in others and which give the slab image its unmistakable material signature. Characteristic is the irregularly clouded structure (DNSA classification): every slab shows its own brecciated pattern with flowing lines of movement, dark material fields and high-contrast vein structures. At ROSSITTIS we stock Ocean Red for designed wall claddings, floor surfaces in prestigious interiors, lobby and entrance areas, exposed faces, bar counters, fireplace surrounds, washstand tops and project-specific bespoke work with statement character.
Geologically, Ocean Red is a Palaeozoic prasinite from the quarry regions around Birjand in the province of South Khorasan in eastern Iran. Prasinites belong to the family of metamorphic green stones — low-grade metamorphic basaltic parent rocks that were converted under pressure and temperature into chlorite- and epidote-rich schistose rocks. The red-brown colour tones of Ocean Red arise from high iron oxide contents and secondary impregnations that characteristically recolour the originally green material. The copper-bearing secondary minerals (malachite, chrysocolla) show that the material reaches into copper mineralisations — a geological phenomenon typical of the natural stone provinces of eastern Iran. The white vein networks are late calcite impregnations along movement joints. DNSA documents the material as “occasionally used” on the German market — Ocean Red is not a mass product but a designed statement material for deliberately staged architectural projects.
Polished grades develop a very lively depth: the deep red ground image lights up, the calcite veins appear sculptural, the turquoise-green mineral inclusions stand out in high contrast. Petrographically the stone belongs to the family of prasinites (greenschists) and thus to the slate group — its fabrication and care, however, are shaped by the calcitic vein sections: the calcite content means a certain acid sensitivity of the material surface, while at the same time the brecciated structure makes the material visually an expressive statement stone with slate character. Compared with Rosso Levanto or Rosso Francia (classic Italian red marbles), Ocean Red appears wilder, higher in contrast and with considerably more expressive mineral colours. An important distinction: there is also a Brazilian stone named “Ocean Red Granite” — that is a different material; ROSSITTIS supplies the DNSA-identified Iranian variant.
At ROSSITTIS, Ocean Red is available as an unsized slab for wall claddings, as a floor tile, as a tread and riser, as a window sill, as a washstand top and as a project-specific cut to size; likewise as a bar counter, fireplace surround and exposed-face element. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. The polished variant is by far the most common choice, because only it brings the full mineral colouring into its own.
Our honest assessment: Ocean Red is not a restrained background stone, nor is it an all-purpose floor material — it is an architectural statement material with a strong signature of its own and an exotic mineralogical variety. For projects that are looking for an unmistakable, dramatic wall or floor stone with high memorability, Ocean Red is a very strong choice. Because of the calcite content, direct acid contact should be avoided — for kitchen worktops with a heavy acid load, hard rocks are better suited. For lobby floor surfaces, prestigious wall claddings, bar counters, fireplace surrounds and exposed faces, Ocean Red makes an extraordinary material impression.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
1 slab in stock · plus 1 block
Thicknesses: 2 cm · Finishes: Satin-honed · Available as: Slabs
Ocean Red 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 selectively removed, creating a subtle depth with a matte appearance. A restrained finish that shows the layering typical of slate in an elegant matte quality. Easier to maintain than the polished variant and suited to everyday use.
Care & fabrication
As a calcite-rich metamorphic stone, Ocean Red is acid-sensitive and requires appropriate care. Directly after laying we recommend an impregnation on a silane or polysiloxane basis — it protects against stains from wine, coffee, oil or tomato sauce and reduces the penetration of water into the calcite veins. Ongoing cleaning is carried out with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth; clear water alone is almost always sufficient for daily care. You should strictly avoid acidic cleaners (vinegar, citric acid, descalers), aggressive all-purpose cleaners and abrasive pads — acids etch the calcite content and can cause visible matt patches. Take up acids spilt on kitchen surfaces made of Ocean Red (wine, lemon juice, tomato sauce) promptly — under prolonged exposure they can leave a loss of gloss. We recommend renewing the impregnation every three to five years. Outdoors, do not use it directly for paving or for stairs with a freeze-thaw load — Ocean Red is primarily an interior material for designed exposed faces.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ocean Red a granite, a marble or something else?
Petrographically, Ocean Red is a Palaeozoic prasinite — a metamorphic green stone (greenschist family) that has been recoloured red-brown by high iron oxide contents and secondary impregnations. Since prasinites belong to the greenschist family, the material is listed in the slate group. The calcite vein sections, however, make it acid-sensitive in terms of care, which is why the care instructions correspond to those for calcite-bearing stones.
What are the turquoise-green inclusions in Ocean Red?
The turquoise-green mineral fields are copper-bearing secondary minerals such as malachite or chrysocolla. They arise when the rock comes into contact with copper-rich hydrothermal solutions of the kind that occur frequently in the natural stone provinces of eastern Iran. These inclusions make the slab image unmistakable and are a central characteristic of the material.
Which other designations does the material carry?
Ocean Red is the primary trade name (DNSA ID 5242). Alongside it, a Brazilian granite named “Ocean Red Granite” exists on the market — that is a different material from a different source. ROSSITTIS consistently supplies the DNSA-identified Iranian variant.
Which finishes are available for Ocean Red?
The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.
Is Ocean Red suitable for kitchen worktops?
Only to a limited extent. Because of the calcite content, Ocean Red is acid-sensitive — wine, lemon juice, vinegar and tomato sauce can leave visible matt patches under prolonged exposure. With a good impregnation and careful maintenance the material can be used for design-accented bar counters or cooking islands — for classic main worktops with a high acid load, hard rocks such as granite, quartzite or sintered porcelain are better suited.
Where is Ocean Red quarried?
Ocean Red comes from the quarry regions around Birjand in the province of South Khorasan in eastern Iran. This region has been an established natural stone province for decades, with characteristic copper-mineralised metamorphites — other Iranian stones such as Ocean Green and Ocean Blue also come from related geological deposits.
How do I clean and care for Ocean Red?
Ongoing care is carried out with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth — acidic cleaners and aggressive all-purpose cleaners must be strictly avoided, as they etch the calcite content. An impregnation on a silane or polysiloxane basis after laying provides additional protection against stains; we recommend renewing it every three to five years. Take up spilt acids on exposed faces promptly in order to avoid a loss of gloss.
What does Ocean Red 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.
