Preto Perola is a Portuguese marble with a dark grey to pearlescent ground colour and a fine mineral structural pattern. A classically elegant Mediterranean wall and floor stone for interior floor areas, wall claddings, plinth details, window sills and designed exposed surfaces with a calm, elegant character.
Other trade names: Bardiglio Portogallo, Black Ruivina, Bleu-Noir Portugais, Peau de Leopard, RO-02-083, Ruivina Escura, Ruivina de Fonte da Moura
About Preto Perola
Preto Perola is a classic Portuguese marble from the Estremadura natural stone production regions. Characteristic is a dark grey to pearlescent ground colour with a fine mineral structural pattern — the trade name “Preto Perola” refers to the characteristic pearly shimmer (Portuguese “pérola” = pearl) created by finely distributed mica crystals. The slab is very fine-grained and calmly patterned throughout. At ROSSITTIS we stock Preto Perola for wall claddings, interior floor areas, window sills, plinth details, pool surrounds under cover, fountain enclosures and project-specific special fabrication where a calm, elegant dark marble feel is wanted.
Geologically, Preto Perola is a marble from the Portuguese natural stone production regions — Portugal is among the most tradition-rich European marble producers and has been supplying a whole family of pale and dark marbles for Central European architecture for decades. Mineralogically the material consists predominantly of calcium carbonate with a fine grain size, complemented by finely distributed dark minerals and mica crystals, which are responsible for the characteristic pearly shimmer and the dark colouring.
The technical values are classic marble values: solid compressive strength, moderate water absorption, acid sensitivity due to the calcium carbonate content. That makes Preto Perola a classic interior and wall stone — wine, lemon juice, vinegar or carbonated drinks should not be left to act on the surface for any length of time, because they can leave dull patches. Outdoors, Preto Perola can be used well under cover; where it is directly exposed to the weather in freeze-thaw zones we recommend a project-specific suitability assessment.
At ROSSITTIS, Preto Perola is available as a raw slab (random-size slab), as a floor tile, as a tread and riser, as a window sill, as a skirting, as a wall facing and as a project-specific cut to size. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.
Our honest assessment: Preto Perola is a very coherent choice for projects looking for a calm, elegant dark marble with a classic Mediterranean feel. Anyone who needs maximum acid resistance for heavily used kitchen worktops should choose a black granite or quartzite.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
98 slabs in stock · plus 5 blocks
Thicknesses: 1–3 cm · Finishes: Polished · Available as: Slabs, Tiles and flooring slabs
Preto Perola is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.
Polished
Polishing is the most classic finish for marble and limestone — a glossy surface with the highest possible colour intensity and a pronounced depth to the veining. Depending on the mineral composition, the effect can be matte-gloss in places. Acid-sensitive — wine, lemon and vinegar leave etch marks after prolonged contact.
Care & fabrication
As a calcareous marble, Preto Perola is acid-sensitive and needs care to match. Directly after installation we recommend a silane- or polysiloxane-based impregnation — it protects against stains from wine, coffee, oil or tomato sauce. Ongoing cleaning is done with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth. You should strictly avoid acidic cleaners (vinegar, citric acid, descalers), aggressive all-purpose cleaners and abrasive pads. Wipe up spilled acids on interior surfaces promptly. We recommend refreshing the impregnation every two to three years.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name “Preto Perola” mean?
“Preto Perola” is Portuguese for “black pearl” and refers to the characteristic pearly shimmer of the dark ground colour, created by finely distributed mica crystals.
Where is Preto Perola quarried?
Preto Perola comes from the Portuguese natural stone production regions — Portugal is among the most tradition-rich European marble producers.
Which surface finishes are available for Preto Perola?
The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.
Is Preto Perola suitable for kitchen worktops?
Only to a limited degree. As a calcareous marble, Preto Perola is acid-sensitive. With a good impregnation the material can be used for bar counters as a design accent — for main working surfaces under heavy acid exposure, hard rocks or quartzites are better.
Is Preto Perola suitable for exterior surfaces?
It can be used well under cover. Where it is directly exposed to the weather we recommend a project-specific suitability assessment.
How do I clean and care for Preto Perola?
Day-to-day care with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth. Avoid acidic cleaners. A silane-based impregnation after installation. Refresh every two to three years.
What does Preto Perola 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.
