Samantha Orissa Blue (also Orissa Blue or Samantha Blue) is a Precambrian Indian gneiss from Berhampur in Odisha (Orissa) with a blue-grey to silver-blue ground effect and a flowing, folded directional foliation. Traded as a granite — high-strength, frost-resistant and acid-resistant, suitable for floor areas, stairs, façades, exterior paving, kitchen worktops and prestige architectural applications with a calm blue material effect.
Petrographisch ein Gneis, im Handel als Granit geführt.
Gneiss
India
2.700 kg/m³
Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs
Other trade names: Bengal Blue, Lavender Blue, Odisha Blue, Orisa Blue, Orissa Blue, Orissa Blue Gneiss, Orissa Blue Granite, Samantha, Samantha Blue, Samantha Blue Granite, Wawi Blue
About Samantha Orissa Blue
Samantha Orissa Blue is a classic Indian blue gneiss from the quarrying regions around Berhampur (also Brahmapur) in the state of Odisha (formerly Orissa) in eastern India. In the market the material is listed under the main names ORISSA BLUE and SAMANTHA. Characteristic is a fine- to medium-grained blue-grey to silver-blue ground effect with a clearly visible directional structure of mineral bands — the parallel foliation bands appear as gently flowing lines of movement across the slab and give the material a characteristic lively depth. The typical blue colouring arises from feldspar minerals with partly labradorescent properties — on a polished surface, silvery light reflections appear depending on the incidence of light. At ROSSITTIS we stock Samantha Orissa Blue for floor areas, wall claddings, staircases, façade claddings, exterior paving, plinth details, pool surrounds, kitchen worktops, bar counters, vanity tops and project-specific special fabrication where a calm blue material effect is wanted.
Geologically, Samantha Orissa Blue is a Precambrian gneiss from the eastern Indian deep metamorphic belt — Odisha (formerly Orissa) is among the most tradition-rich and productive hard stone production regions in India. Gneisses form through high-pressure and high-temperature metamorphism of old granitic parent rocks; the parallel structure of mineral bands is the geological identifying feature. In the international stone trade, gneisses are consistently assigned to the hard rocks and listed under “granite”. In the market the material also runs under the designations Orissa Blue, Samantha, Samantha Blue, Samantha Blue Granite, Orissa Blue Granite, Orissa Blue Gneiss and Odisha Blue. A related version is Orion Blue from the same region — a very similar material with somewhat higher compressive strength values.
The following technical values are documented: bulk density 2,700 kg/m³, compressive strength 147.7 MPa, flexural strength 12.0–13.9 MPa, water absorption 0.24 per cent. This places the material clearly within the frost-secure range to DIN EN 12407 and makes it fully suitable for demanding exterior applications in Central European climate zones with freeze-thaw exposure. Acid resistance is given within the normal application range — wine, lemon juice, vinegar or carbonated drinks leave no etch marks. Compared with classic Norwegian blue syenites such as Labrador Blue Pearl, Samantha Orissa Blue is calmer, without pronounced iridescence effects; compared with Brazilian Azul Bahia (a foidolite), the colour saturation is subtler and the material technically more robust.
At ROSSITTIS, Samantha Orissa Blue 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 paving stone, as a façade element, as a pool surround and as a project-specific cut to size; likewise as a kitchen worktop and vanity top. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.
Our honest assessment: Samantha Orissa Blue is a very coherent choice for projects looking for a calm blue Indian hard stone with the full robustness of a granite. The combination of a blue-grey ground effect, a flowing folded foliation signature and a surface that holds a polish permanently makes the material particularly interesting for designed exposed surfaces with a cool colouring, prestige floor areas and kitchen worktops. Indian gneisses from Odisha also offer attractive value for money with very consistent quality.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
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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.
Samantha Orissa Blue is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.
Poliert
Politur ist die klassischste Veredelung im Hartgesteinsegment — eine spiegelglatte, hochglänzende Oberfläche mit höchstmöglicher Farbintensität und maximaler Tiefenwirkung der Mineralstruktur. Als säurebeständiges Silikatgestein ist polierter Granit pflegeleicht und für Küchenarbeitsplatten, Wandverkleidungen und repräsentative Sichtflächen erste Wahl.
Care & fabrication
As an Indian gneiss, Samantha Orissa Blue can be maintained over the long term and cleaned without difficulty. With a water absorption of 0.24 per cent the material is among the dense hard rocks — stains accordingly form rarely. A silane- or polysiloxane-based impregnation after installation additionally protects against strongly colouring substances such as red wine, coffee, oil and tomato sauce. Daily cleaning with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft microfibre cloth or mop. Avoid strongly alkaline deep cleaners, acidic products such as vinegar or lemon cleaners and abrasive steel wool. Frost-resistant and tolerant of de-icing salt outdoors — rinse off de-icing salt residues in spring. Refresh the impregnation every three to five years.
Frequently asked questions
Which other designations does Samantha Orissa Blue carry?
In the market the material runs under Samantha Orissa Blue (the main designation), Orissa Blue, Samantha, Samantha Blue, Samantha Blue Granite, Orissa Blue Granite, Orissa Blue Gneiss and Odisha Blue. All refer to the same Indian blue gneiss.
Where is Samantha Orissa Blue quarried?
Samantha Orissa Blue comes from the quarrying regions around Berhampur (also Brahmapur) in the Indian state of Odisha (formerly Orissa) in eastern India — a tradition-rich hard stone production region.
Which technical values does Samantha Orissa Blue have?
The following figures are documented: bulk density 2,700 kg/m³, compressive strength 147.7 MPa, flexural strength 12.0–13.9 MPa, water absorption 0.24 per cent. This places the material clearly within the frost-secure range and makes it suitable for demanding exterior and interior applications.
Is Samantha Orissa Blue a granite or a gneiss?
Petrographically, Samantha Orissa Blue is a gneiss — recognisable by its directional structure of mineral bands. In the stone trade the material is consistently listed as a granite, because technically it behaves like a classic hard rock.
Which surface finishes are available for Samantha Orissa Blue?
The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.
Is Samantha Orissa Blue suitable for kitchen worktops?
Very much so. As an Indian gneiss of the granite family, Samantha Orissa Blue is acid-resistant, stain-resistant (with good impregnation) and very robust in everyday cooking.
Samantha Orissa Blue or Labrador Blue Pearl — which fits better?
Both are blue hard rocks. The Norwegian Labrador Blue Pearl is a syenite with a pronounced labradorescent play of light — light reflections in blue and gold from labradorite feldspar crystals. Samantha Orissa Blue from India is calmer and more even, without dramatic iridescence effects, with a subtle foliation signature. Anyone looking for a dramatic play of light chooses Labrador Blue Pearl; for calm blue background surfaces, Samantha Orissa Blue with its better value for money is the better choice.
