Limestone

Rojo Alicante

Rojo Alicante is a classic Spanish sedimentary limestone from the Monóvar and Novelda area in the province of Alicante on the Spanish Mediterranean coast — a warm coral-red to terracotta red-brown groundmass with characteristic white calcite vein bands running diagonally across the cloudy, mottled slab surface. Also carried internationally as Rosso Alicante and Alicante Rojo; used for classically elegant internal wall cladding, bathrooms, fireplace surrounds, prestige living areas and building applications with a warm Mediterranean character.

Rojo Alicante ist petrographisch ein tertiärer Sediment-Kalkstein (Limestone) aus der Provinz Alicante in Spanien — kein Marmor im strengen petrographischen Sinn, auch wenn er im Handel traditionell als 'Marmor' geführt wird. Geologisch ein dichter Calcit-Kalkstein mit charakteristischen weißen Calcit-Aderbändern und warmer roter Tönung aus hämatitischen Eisenoxid-Mineralisierungen; im DIN/EN-Sinn als Kalkstein zu klassifizieren.

Limestone Spain 2.710 kg/m³

Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs

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About Rojo Alicante

Rojo Alicante shows an exceptionally warm and classically elegant slab character and has been among the best-known red sedimentary limestones in Europe for centuries. The groundmass is a warm coral-red to terracotta red-brown calcite matrix with subtle transitions to old rose, mauve and occasionally muted orange tones. The cloudy, mottled slab appearance reads like an old Mediterranean watercolour with flowing transitions between different warm red nuances. Characteristic are the pronounced white calcite vein bands that run diagonally across the slab surface in irregular patterns and varying widths — they are secondary calcite mineralisations from later tectonic stress fractures that were filled with pale carbonate solutions. Here and there, pale cream quartz or calcite zones and subtle brown mineral areas appear as additional accents of depth. The overall material effect is warm, lively and classic — the stone reads like a Mediterranean sunset set in stone. On a polished surface the stone develops a silky gloss with full warm depth; the white vein bands contrast brilliantly with the red groundmass.

Geologically, Rojo Alicante is a Tertiary sedimentary limestone from the province of Alicante on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. The quarries lie in the region between Monóvar and Novelda, one of the most important Spanish marble and limestone provinces, which has supplied premium natural stone to the whole of Europe for centuries. The red colouring derives from haematitic iron oxide mineralisations deposited during the original sedimentation in a warm Tertiary shelf sea. Petrographically a calcite limestone, but traditionally carried in the trade as 'marble' — a trade convention common in Spain and Italy for high-quality polishable sedimentary limestones. In the market the material is carried under the principal names 'ALICANTE ROJO', 'ROSSO ALICANTE' and 'ROJO ALICANTE'. The origin from Monóvar/Novelda is documented with complete technical data sheets. In international trade the designations Rosso Alicante (the principal Italian designation), Alicante Red, Spanish Red Marble and Coral Red Marble also circulate.

Technically, Rojo Alicante shows sound values for a dense sedimentary limestone: bulk density 2,710 kg/m³ (very high for limestone), compressive strength 96.5 MPa, flexural strength 8.9 MPa, water absorption only 0.1 % (very low), abrasion resistance 2.42 cm³/50cm², porosity only 0.3 % by volume, Mohs hardness 3–4. The low water absorption and the high density qualify Rojo Alicante as a premium limestone in the upper strength class. IMPORTANT: despite its exceptional density, Rojo Alicante is acid-sensitive as a calcite limestone — wine, lemon juice, vinegar, cola, sanitary cleaners or descalers leave etch marks and dull patches on untreated surfaces immediately. Furthermore: the polished surface is NOT durable outdoors — UV exposure and weathering lead to loss of gloss over the years. Both aspects must be deliberately allowed for when selecting the material.

At ROSSITTIS we carry Rojo Alicante as a raw slab in 10 mm and 20 mm thickness (standard thicknesses for internal wall and floor applications), in tiles for floor and wall applications, as skirting and for project-specific cutting to size. The available standard finish is polished (the classic silky gloss with full warm depth — the typical treatment for classic Mediterranean settings).

Compared with classic Mediterranean red marbles and limestones such as Rosso Verona (Italian, with a stronger vein figure), Rosso Asiago (Italian, darker), Rosso Levanto (Italian, almost burgundy) or Rojo Coralito (another Spanish red limestone), Rojo Alicante brings the warmest, friendliest coral-red tone with a characteristic cloudy, mottled slab appearance and fine white vein bands. The Spanish variant is more classically elegant and somewhat softer in character than its Italian counterparts. For architectural projects with warm Mediterranean elegance — classic internal wall cladding, prestige bathrooms, fireplace surrounds with a warm character, spa areas, classically elegant hotel lobbies, historic Mediterranean restoration work and internal surfaces with a warm southern European feel — Rojo Alicante is a choice rich in tradition and expression. Important for planning: Rojo Alicante is a limestone with the character of marble and is therefore acid-sensitive — the material should be chosen with a clear understanding of this characteristic, and only for purely internal applications with a moderate care requirement.

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 2.710 kg/m³

Druckfestigkeit 96,5 MPa

Biegezugfestigkeit 8,9 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 0,10 %

Säurebeständig Nein

Suitability by application

Suitable with limitations

Küche & Arbeitsplatten △ Limited
Bodenbelag △ Limited

Finishes

Rojo Alicante is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.

Poliert

Politur ist die klassischste Veredelung für Marmor und Kalkstein — eine glänzende Oberfläche mit höchstmöglicher Farbintensität und ausgeprägter Tiefenwirkung der Aderung. Je nach mineralischer Zusammensetzung kann die Wirkung stellenweise mattglänzend sein. Säureempfindlich — Wein, Zitrone und Essig hinterlassen Ätzspuren bei längerer Einwirkung.

Care & fabrication

Despite its exceptionally dense structure (water absorption only 0.1 %, porosity 0.3 % by volume), Rojo Alicante is acid-sensitive as a calcite limestone. With a Mohs hardness of 3–4 the stone calls for deliberate care and consistent sealing. These points should be deliberately factored into the choice of material — Rojo Alicante is a consciously chosen design material with a classic Mediterranean character, not a maintenance-free all-rounder.

For internal applications we recommend careful sealing with a silane- or polysiloxane-based product at first installation. With water absorption of 0.1 %, Rojo Alicante is practically non-absorbent — the sealer serves as additional insurance against acid etching. On polished internal surfaces we recommend renewal every 5–8 years, and every 3–5 years in heavily used areas.

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 (vinegar, citric acid, sanitary cleaners, descalers) are STRICTLY to be avoided — they attack the limestone immediately and leave dull etch marks that can only be removed by professional re-honing. Cola, wine, tomato sauce and citrus fruits can also leave etch marks on untreated surfaces — take spills up immediately. Particularly important in bathrooms: remove water and soap residues regularly, because soap deposits left in place for longer can permanently reduce the gloss.

For kitchen worktops, Rojo Alicante is only conditionally suitable — it is not fully acid-resistant and not fully cut- and scratch-resistant (Mohs hardness 3–4 versus 7+ for granite/quartzite). Heat resistance is given, but hot pans should not be set down directly (use trivets). For intensively used professional kitchens we recommend alternative hard stones. For an elegant designer kitchen with a classic Mediterranean character and careful maintenance, Rojo Alicante with its characteristic warm material effect can be very coherent — provided expectations about the development of patina are honest.

For bathrooms and wellness areas, Rojo Alicante is a very fitting choice — the warm red material effect brings a distinctive Mediterranean atmosphere. Where there is direct water loading (shower walls, bath surrounds, vanity tops), careful sealing is mandatory and acidic sanitary cleaners are strictly to be avoided. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

For external applications, Rojo Alicante is NOT recommended — the polished surface is not durable outdoors. UV exposure and weathering lead to visible loss of gloss and potential discolouration over the years. Calcite limestones also react particularly sensitively to acid precipitation in urban environments. For classic Mediterranean external applications we recommend alternative materials such as Portuguese granite, Italian travertine or other externally stable selections.

Frequently asked questions

What is Rojo Alicante geologically?

Rojo Alicante is a Tertiary sedimentary limestone from the province of Alicante on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. The quarries lie in the region between Monóvar and Novelda. The red colouring derives from haematitic iron oxide mineralisations during the original sedimentation in a warm Tertiary shelf sea. Petrographically a calcite limestone, but traditionally carried in the trade as 'marble' — a trade convention common in Spain and Italy for high-quality polishable sedimentary limestones. DNSA lists the material under stone 2066.

What synonyms are there?

In international trade, Rojo Alicante also runs under the designations Rosso Alicante (the principal Italian designation), Alicante Rojo, Alicante Red, Spanish Red Marble and occasionally Coral Red Marble. All designations refer to the same Spanish red limestone from the Monóvar/Novelda quarrying area in the province of Alicante.

Which technical values does Rojo Alicante have?

Sound values for a dense sedimentary limestone: bulk density 2,710 kg/m³ (very high), compressive strength 96.5 MPa, flexural strength 8.9 MPa, water absorption only 0.1 % (very low), abrasion resistance 2.42 cm³/50cm², porosity only 0.3 % by volume, Mohs hardness 3–4. The low water absorption and high density qualify Rojo Alicante as a premium limestone in the upper strength class — despite the Mohs hardness of 3–4, the stone is very practical in everyday use for classic internal applications.

Is Rojo Alicante really a marble?

In the trade, Rojo Alicante is carried as 'marble' — a trade convention common in Spain and Italy for high-quality polishable sedimentary limestones. Petrographically, however, Rojo Alicante is a limestone, not a metamorphic marble in the strict sense. Both have similar care requirements (acid sensitivity), but petrographically marble forms through metamorphism of limestone, whereas Rojo Alicante is a non-metamorphosed sedimentary calcite limestone.

Is Rojo Alicante suitable for outdoor use?

Not recommended. DNSA classifies the polished surface as not durable outdoors. UV exposure and weathering lead to visible loss of gloss and potential discolouration over the years. Calcite limestones also react particularly sensitively to acid precipitation in urban environments. For classic Mediterranean external applications we recommend alternative materials such as Portuguese granite, Italian travertine or other externally stable selections.

Is Rojo Alicante suitable for a kitchen worktop?

Conditionally suitable, with restrictions. With a Mohs hardness of 3–4, Rojo Alicante as a calcite limestone is considerably more sensitive than granite or quartzite — it is not fully cut- and scratch-resistant and is acid-sensitive. Wine, lemon juice or vinegar leave etch marks immediately. For intensively used professional kitchens we recommend alternative hard stones. For an elegant designer kitchen with a classic Mediterranean character and careful maintenance, however, Rojo Alicante can be very coherent — particularly for wabi-sabi schemes with a conscious acceptance of patina.

How do I clean and care for Rojo Alicante?

Rojo Alicante calls for deliberate limestone care: silane- or polysiloxane-based sealing at first installation, daily care with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a microfibre cloth. Acidic cleaners (vinegar, citric acid, sanitary cleaners, descalers) are STRICTLY to be avoided — they cause immediate etch marks. Cola, wine, tomato sauce and citrus fruits should likewise be taken up immediately when spilled. Renew the sealer every 5–8 years (every 3–5 years in heavily used areas).

Which finishes are available for Rojo Alicante?

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