Tiger Red

Geologically, Tiger Red is a Precambrian medium-grained gneiss from Fazenda Escondida near Ruy Barbosa in Bahia — the region is one of the most tradition-rich hard rock extraction regions in Brazil. Gneisses form through high-pressure and high-temperature metamorphosis of old granitic parent rocks — the directional mineral banding structure (foliation) is the geological identifying feature and is particularly dramatically pronounced here. In the international stone trade, gneisses are consistently assigned to the hard rocks and listed under “granite”. On the market the material runs under numerous trade names: Dalva (main name), Rosso Dalva, Tanquinho Vermelho, Tigrato, Rosso Tigrato, Rosa Dalva, Rosa Tigrato, Rose D'alva, Granito Tigrato, Fantasia Salmon, Dalva Pink, Red Pantaleao and Vermelho Pantaleao. Important for differentiation: “Tiger Red” is also used for other, different stones — Brown Tiger (an Indian sandstone), Tiger Skin Red (a Chinese granite from Fujian) and Granito Rojo Tigre (a Bolivian granite) are different materials.

The following technical values are documented: bulk density 2,650 kg/m³, compressive strength 93.0 MPa (parallel to the foliation), flexural strength 24.6 MPa, water absorption 0.11 per cent, porosity 0.29 per cent. The values are measured parallel to the foliation and are therefore relevant for the typical laying direction; perpendicular to the foliation, higher compressive values have been reported (up to 193 MPa). Acid resistance and frost resistance are confirmed; the material is explicitly recommended as a floor covering. Compared with classic Finnish red granites such as Rosso Balmoral, Tiger Red is dramatically more animated with a more pronounced striped signature; compared with Indian reds such as Rosso Multicolor, the colour saturation is deeper and the slab image richer in contrast.

At ROSSITTIS, Tiger Red is available as a raw slab (unsized 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 washbasin top. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Our honest assessment: Tiger Red is an architectural statement material with one of the most expressive red material signatures in the Brazilian hard rock range. For projects seeking an unmistakable red wall or floor stone with a dramatic striped signature and the full robustness of a hard rock, Tiger Red is a very strong choice. When sampling, please note that the direction of the stripes remains visible in the slab image — this is characteristic of the material and intended; during laying, deliberate slab alignment allows the direction of the stripes to be used as a design element. Anyone looking for a calm red granite surface should choose a more uniformly coloured red such as Rosso Balmoral or Padang TG48 Rosa Beta.