Sapphire Blue

Sapphire Blue is a Precambrian metamorphic hard stone from Kasipet in the Warangal district in the southern Indian state of Telangana. DNSA classifies the material as 'metamorphic' with a foliated structure, which points to a granite gneiss or granulite. The DNSA main name is Zephyr Blue (entry 3136). In international trade the stone is listed as a 'granite'; at ROSSITTIS we classify the material within the granite family in line with trade practice.

In international trade, Sapphire Blue also runs under the designations Zephyr Blue (the DNSA main name), Indian Sapphire Blue, Warangal Sapphire and Sapphire Blue Granite. The trade name 'Sapphire Blue' aptly describes the characteristic dark, sapphire-like groundmass with its subtle blue reflections.

Exceptionally strong values: bulk density 2,730 kg/m³ (very high), compressive strength 195.9 MPa (very high), flexural strength 14.2 MPa, water absorption 0.32 %, linear thermal expansion 0.61 mm/m/100K, Mohs hardness 6–7. Full frost and acid resistance as a silicate rock. DNSA confirms a durable outdoor polish — the polished surface keeps its gloss outdoors for years.

Sapphire Blue shows subtle blue-violet-silvery schiller reflections from embedded plagioclase mineral crystals. The slender plagioclase tablets reflect the light in different directions — as the incidence of light changes, a restrained shifting effect emerges that gives the stone its 'sapphire' character. Related grades with a similar schiller effect are Steel Grey, Vizag Blue and Lavender Blue from the same southern Indian granite-gneiss complex.

Both come from the southern Indian granite-gneiss complex (Telangana/Andhra Pradesh) with similar schiller effects, but they differ in tone and intensity. Vizag Blue is markedly bluer with a more pronounced labradorescence effect — the more intense blue version. Sapphire Blue is a darker violet with subtler blue reflections — the balanced version with an elegant dark basic mood. For maximum blue intensity, Vizag Blue is the choice; for dramatically dark elegance with a subtle schiller, Sapphire Blue is the more coherent option.

Outstandingly suited. With Mohs hardness 6–7, low water absorption (0.32 %), very high compressive strength (195.9 MPa) and full acid resistance, the stone is cut-, scratch- and heat-resistant and does not absorb the acids in wine, lemon or vinegar. The dark violet tone with its subtle schiller reflections gives designer kitchens an unmistakable visual character.

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

Outstandingly suited — DNSA confirms a 'durable outdoor polish'. The polished surface keeps its gloss outdoors for years, which makes the stone a first choice for prestige exterior façades with the gloss and the subtle schiller effect retained. The low water absorption, the high compressive strength and the frost resistance qualify the stone for demanding exterior façades in heavily weather-exposed locations.

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.