Quartzite

San Bernardino Silber

San Bernardino Silber is a classic Swiss quartzite from the Hinterrhein valley in Graubünden, with a silvery grey ground mass, a pronounced horizontal foliation structure and embedded cream-white quartz clusters. Internationally also listed as Rhein Quartzite, Rheinischer Quarzit, Bernhardin Quarzit, Hinterrhein Quarzit and Hinterrhein Platten; used for façades, floor coverings, staircases, pool and external applications as well as prestigious interior surfaces with an authentically Alpine character.

Quartzite Switzerland 2.648 kg/m³

Available as: Paving slabs, Tiles and flooring slabs

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About San Bernardino Silber

San Bernardino Silber lives from a classic Alpine material effect with a pronounced foliation and mineral structure. The ground tone is a silvery grey mid-grey to anthracite, interspersed with characteristically embedded cream-white to crystal-clear quartz clusters and fine white quartz veins that look like fragments of ice crystal in the grey ground mass. The pronounced horizontal direction of foliation — typical of Alpine quartzites that were reshaped under tectonic loading — gives the slab surface a clear direction of movement with an Alpine, authentic character. Distributed across the slab surface are fine-grained silver mica speckles, which produce a subtle metallic shimmer under light — this is the “silver” effect that gives the stone its name. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. San Bernardino Silber has for generations been a standard dimension stone in Swiss mountain hut and chalet architecture.

Geologically, San Bernardino Silber is a metamorphic quartzite from the quarry in the Hinterrhein valley of the Swiss canton of Graubünden — formed from quartz-rich sandstones that recrystallised under high pressures and temperatures during the Alpine orogeny. The stone belongs to the classic Swiss Alpine quartzite family and has been in use as a dimension stone in Graubünden, Ticino and the Swiss Plateau since the late 19th century. In international trade the material runs under numerous regional synonyms: San Bernardino Silber (the primary trade name), San Bernardino Quartzite, Rhein Quartzite, Rheinischer Quarzit, Rhein Quarzit, Bernhardin Quarzit, Hinterrhein Quarzit, Hinterrheiner Quarzit, Hinterrhein Platten, Rhein Silver Quartzite, Rhein Grau Quarzit and S. Bernardino Silber. All of them denote the same stone from the Hinterrhein valley. At ROSSITTIS we classify San Bernardino Silber as a true quartzite. Related Alpine Swiss natural rocks are Vert d'Evolène (a Valais talc-serpentinite schist), Vert de Salvan (a Valais conglomerate) and Verzasca (a Ticino gneiss).

Technically, San Bernardino Silber shows good values for an Alpine Swiss quartzite. The bulk density is 2,648 kg/m³, the compressive strength 168-170 MPa, the flexural strength a considerable 19.9-20.4 MPa (markedly higher than with classic granite) and the water absorption a moderate 0.3 %. The Mohs hardness is 7. The stone is therefore fully acid-resistant (unlike marble or limestone), cut- and scratch-resistant, frost-resistant and proven for over a century in the Alpine climate of Swiss locations. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar or acidic sanitary cleaners leave no etch marks. The high flexural strength makes the stone particularly suitable for floor coverings, staircases and external façades in which slab sizes and loading situations are demanding.

At ROSSITTIS we stock San Bernardino Silber as an unsized slab for wall claddings, external façades, floor surfaces, staircases, pool coping and fireplace surrounds, in tiles for floor and wall applications, as a tread and riser for staircases, and as a window sill, skirting, fountain element and for project-specific cutting to size. The typical application is Alpine or Mediterranean architecture — from the Swiss mountain hut to the modern chalet, from pool surrounds in Mediterranean climate zones to classic floor coverings in spa and wellness areas. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Compared with Mediterranean quartzites or classic granite classics, San Bernardino Silber brings the characteristic Alpine dimension stone character with a horizontal foliation structure and embedded quartz clusters — a stone that embodies Swiss mountain authenticity visually and materially. Set against other Swiss natural stones such as Vert d'Evolène (a Valais talc-serpentinite, softer, acid-sensitive) or Vert de Salvan (a Valais conglomerate, matt finishes only), San Bernardino Silber brings the full robustness of a true quartzite with a Mohs hardness of 7 and acid resistance. For architectural projects with an Alpine, rustic or modern, natural character — mountain huts, chalets, Alpine spa areas, classic Swiss architecture, pool and external façades — San Bernardino Silber is a highly individual and culturally rooted choice in the classic premium segment of Swiss natural dimension stones.

In stock

Current availability from our warehouse.

2 slabs in stock · plus 2 blocks

Thicknesses: 2 & 3 cm · Finishes: Polished, Sandblasted · Available as: Paving slabs, Tiles and flooring slabs

Updated daily from our live stock.

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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.

Rohdichte 2.648 kg/m³

Druckfestigkeit 169,0 MPa

Biegezugfestigkeit 20,2 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 0,30 %

Finishes

San Bernardino Silber 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 quartzite — a glossy surface with the highest possible colour intensity and a pronounced sense of depth. Depending on the mineral composition, the effect can be satin-gloss in places. As a silicate rock it is fully acid-resistant and scratch-hard — ideal for kitchen worktops and feature surfaces.

Sandblasted

The surface is blasted with quartz sand at high pressure and evenly roughened — the surface stays level, but it feels rough to the touch. The colour appears more restrained. Slip-resistant, frost-resistant and, as a silicate stone, fully acid-resistant — for demanding outdoor areas and paving.

Care & fabrication

As a Swiss quartzite, San Bernardino Silber is a robust hard rock with moderate water absorption (0.3 %), full acid resistance and a Mohs hardness of 7. 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 care for and well suited to intensive everyday use.

For interior applications we recommend an impregnation on a silane or polysiloxane basis at initial installation. On polished quartzite surfaces, 5-10 years can pass between impregnation renewals depending on use; on heavily used kitchen worktops, check every 2-3 years. For external applications — Swiss mountain huts, chalets, pool areas — we recommend a renewal every 2-3 years because of the moderate water absorption. Impregnation protects against the deep penetration of oil, grease and pigments — otherwise, discolouration can show on the lighter quartz clusters, while the grey ground mass conceals soiling visually.

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 are fundamentally unproblematic, but should nevertheless not be used, because they can attack the impregnation. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

For kitchen worktops San Bernardino Silber is well suited: cut- and scratch-resistant, insensitive to heat (hot pots and pans can be set down directly for a short time, although prolonged heat exposure above 200 °C should still be avoided), acid-resistant and with good stain repellency. The high flexural strength supports heavier loads. The expressive foliated surface conceals small traces of use remarkably well.

For external applications San Bernardino Silber has been proven by the Alpine climate of Swiss locations for over a century — frost-resistant and stable against the weather in the long term. Outstandingly suited to external façades, mountain hut cladding, fountains, pool surrounds and Alpine garden installations. The finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

For pool surrounds, external terraces and fountain settings a slip-resistant structured finish is mandatory — on smooth external surfaces there is a high risk of slipping when wet. In areas with frequent salt contact (de-icing salt, pool chlorine) we recommend an additional annual renewal of the impregnation.

Frequently asked questions

What is San Bernardino Silber geologically?

San Bernardino Silber is a metamorphic quartzite from the Hinterrhein valley in the Swiss canton of Graubünden — formed from quartz-rich sandstones that recrystallised under high pressures and temperatures during the Alpine orogeny. With a Mohs hardness of 7 it is a true quartzite with full acid resistance and Alpine weather stability. In the trade the stone runs under numerous regional names: Rhein Quartzite, Rheinischer Quarzit, Bernhardin Quarzit, Hinterrhein Quarzit and Hinterrhein Platten — all of them denote the same stone.

Is San Bernardino Silber suitable for a kitchen worktop?

Well suited. With a Mohs hardness of 7, moderate water absorption (0.3 %), a compressive strength of 168-170 MPa, a high flexural strength (19.9-20.4 MPa) and full acid resistance, San Bernardino Silber is cut-, scratch- and heat-resistant and absorbs no wine, lemon or vinegar acids. A very fitting choice for kitchen worktops in an Alpine or modern style with a grey, silvery appearance. Because of the moderate water absorption we recommend consistent impregnation.

Which finishes are available for San Bernardino Silber?

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

Where does San Bernardino Silber come from?

San Bernardino Silber comes from the quarry in the Hinterrhein valley of the Swiss canton of Graubünden — one of the classic Swiss natural stone regions. The stone has been in use as a dimension stone in Graubünden, Ticino and the Swiss Plateau since the late 19th century. Internationally the material runs under numerous regional synonyms: Rhein Quartzite, Rheinischer Quarzit, Rhein Quarzit, Bernhardin Quarzit, Hinterrhein Quarzit, Hinterrheiner Quarzit, Hinterrhein Platten, Rhein Silver Quartzite and Rhein Grau Quarzit.

How do I clean and care for San Bernardino Silber?

As a quartzite, San Bernardino Silber is very easy to care for: daily care with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a microfibre cloth is sufficient. We recommend an impregnation at initial installation; for interior applications a renewal interval of 5-10 years depending on use, on heavily used kitchen worktops every 2-3 years, and for external applications likewise check every 2-3 years because of the moderate water absorption (0.3 %). Acidic cleaners are fundamentally unproblematic, but should nevertheless not be used.

Is San Bernardino Silber frost-resistant and suitable for outdoors?

Yes, outstandingly suited. San Bernardino Silber has been proven for over a century in Alpine Swiss external applications — from mountain hut façades through staircases to fountain elements. The low water absorption (0.3 %), the Mohs hardness of 7 and the high flexural strength make the stone fully weather- and frost-resistant. For external applications we recommend flamed, bush-hammered, sandblasted or riven surfaces — they offer slip resistance and show the Alpine authenticity more vividly than a smooth, glossy surface.

San Bernardino Silber or Vert de Salvan — which suits better?

Both are classic Swiss natural dimension stones, but with a fundamentally different character and properties. Vert de Salvan (a Valais conglomerate) brings a warm greenish appearance with a characteristically nodular clast structure — partly acid-sensitive, capable of matt finishes only (no high-gloss polish possible), for moderate loading. San Bernardino Silber (a Graubünden quartzite) is considerably more robust and more versatile: fully acid-resistant, polishable, and with a Mohs hardness of 7 suitable for intensive everyday use. For an authentically Alpine Valais character with decorative ambitions, Vert de Salvan; for robust Alpine architecture with full everyday capability, San Bernardino Silber.

What does San Bernardino Silber 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.