Sandstone

Tobacco

Tobacco is a Chinese sandstone from the quarries around Kunming in the province of Yunnan, with a warm honey-yellow to tobacco-brown ground tone and a pronounced horizontal band structure that reads like geological sediment layers or wood grain. Internationally it is also traded as Yellow Kunming, Pietra Dorata China, Yellow Grit Kunming and Asia Dorato; it is used for wall claddings, fireplace surrounds, decorative internal panels and external façades in sheltered positions with a warm, natural character.

Sandstone China 2.270 kg/m³

Available as: Slabs

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About Tobacco

Tobacco thrives on a warm, natural sandstone materiality with a pronounced stratification and wave structure. The ground tone is a warm honey yellow to tobacco brown with subtle ochre and sand-coloured accents — the “tobacco” effect that gives the stone its name. Across the slab surface run characteristic horizontally flowing bands with fine wave and swirl structures, recalling geological sediment layers or flowing water on a sandy beach. Isolated darker ochre-brown vein bands and subtle linear figuring lend the slab image depth and movement. On a sawn or honed surface the stone reads like a cross-sectional visualisation of primeval sand sedimentation — this organic, natural quality makes Tobacco a unique choice for architecture with a warm earth character.

Geologically, Tobacco is a fine- to medium-grained sandstone from the quarries around Kunming in the southern Chinese province of Yunnan — confirmed by DNSA under entry #5460 (YELLOW KUNMING). The DNSA classifies the rock unambiguously as a sedimentary sandstone. Sandstones form through the consolidation of quartz sand deposits under pressure and with siliceous or carbonate binders — the warm honey-brown colouring of Tobacco derives from iron oxide and limonite-bearing binder components. In international trade the material runs under several synonyms: Tobacco, Yellow Kunming, Pietra Dorata China, Yellow Grit Kunming and Asia Dorato. At ROSSITTIS we classify Tobacco as a genuine sandstone. Important for identification: several further stones exist with similar-sounding trade names — Wiarton Dark / Tobacco Brown is a Canadian dolomite, and “Tobacco Brown Marble” (Canada) as well as “Tobacco Brown Granite” (Brazil) are independent stones that are not identical with the Chinese sandstone. At ROSSITTIS the material is exclusively the Chinese Yellow Kunming from Yunnan.

Technically, Tobacco shows the values typical of a fine- to medium-grained sandstone. The bulk density lies at a comparatively low 2,270 kg/m³ (typical of porous sandstones), the flexural strength at 5.08 MPa, the water absorption at 3.39 % (markedly higher than in hard rock) and the abrasion value at 27.4 cm³/50cm² (very high — the stone is soft). DNSA rates the stone as “barely suitable as a floor covering”, because the abrasion is too high for heavily used floors. A high-gloss polish is not technically achievable — only matt finishes are possible. Acid resistance lies within the usual range. The Mohs hardness lies in the range of 4-6 typical of sandstones.

At ROSSITTIS we carry Tobacco as a raw slab for wall claddings, fireplace surrounds, decorative internal panels and prestige statement wall surfaces, in tiles for wall applications, and for window sills and project-specific cut-to-size work. The typical application is the decorative wall surface or statement accent wall, in which the unique sediment band structure comes fully into its own — above all in bookmatched installation the stone reads like a continuous geological stratification. For external façades in sheltered positions, Tobacco can be used with consistent sealing; for external applications heavily exposed to frost or rain, suitability should be assessed on a project-specific basis. The finishes currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down this page. A high-gloss polish is not technically possible — for polished, glossy applications please choose a different stone.

Compared with classical European sandstones such as Cotswold (English), Mainsandstein (German) or Pietra Serena (Italian), Tobacco brings the unique flowing band structure with swirl and wave patterns that is rare in European sandstones. Set against uniform Indian sandstones such as Mint Yellow or Modak, Tobacco is markedly more expressive with clearly recognisable sediment stratification. For architectural projects with a warm, natural, almost prehistoric character — spa areas with a wellness ambition, restaurants and bars with earth-element concepts, fireplace surrounds, boutiques with organic design and prestige statement wall surfaces with a geological, organic effect — Tobacco is a very distinctive and expressive choice within the Chinese sandstone range.

In stock

Current availability from our warehouse.

19 slabs in stock · plus 2 blocks

Thicknesses: 2 & 3 cm · Finishes: Honed C220 · Available as: 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 2.270 kg/m³

Biegezugfestigkeit 5,1 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 3,39 %

Finishes

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

Honed C220

Matt appearance created by fine honing with a C220 grit — the level surface has a calm look, and light honing marks are possible. More maintenance-intensive than polished, but with a characterful, natural appearance. A choice for sandstone floor areas and wall claddings that call for a matt Mediterranean effect.

Care & fabrication

As a Chinese sandstone, Tobacco is a decorative material with moderate robustness. The water absorption of 3.39 % is markedly higher than in hard rock — consistent sealing is particularly important. The abrasion value of 27.4 cm³/50cm² is high (DNSA: “barely suitable as a floor covering”), which is why Tobacco should primarily be used as a wall and decorative material. DNSA does, however, confirm acid resistance within the usual range — wine, lemon juice, vinegar or acidic sanitary cleaners leave no etch marks in normal use, as they would on marble.

For all applications, a sealing treatment based on silane or polysiloxane is mandatory. Because of the high water absorption we recommend refreshing it every 2-3 years for internal applications and annually for external applications. Sealing protects against deep penetration by oil, grease, wine, coffee and sanitary cleaners — otherwise discolouration can become visibly apparent on the light tobacco-honey-yellow body.

Day-to-day care is carried out with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft cloth or microfibre mop. Consistently avoid acidic cleaners, cement film removers and strongly alkaline agents. On the textured finishes (sawn, sandblasted, riven), dirt can lodge in the open microstructure and in the waves of the band structure — here occasional cleaning with a soft brush and a mildly dosed stone care product is advisable.

Tobacco is not to be recommended for kitchen worktops. The high water absorption, the low abrasion resistance (Mohs hardness 4-6, softer than marble) and the absence of a high-polish variant make the material unsuitable for intensive cooking applications. For decorative bar counters in prestige rooms, in which material aesthetics and atmosphere are primarily to the fore, the stone can be used — with clear expectations regarding care. For carefree kitchen worktops we recommend a granite, quartzite or engineered quartz.

For floor surfaces, Tobacco is “barely suitable” according to the DNSA recommendation because of the high abrasion value — it can be used only in very lightly frequented interior areas (prestige surfaces with minimal loading). For classical residential or commercial floor coverings please choose a different stone.

For external applications, Tobacco can be used in sheltered positions with consistent sealing (e.g. façades under roof overhangs, courtyard walls). For external applications heavily exposed to frost or rain, suitability should be assessed on a project-specific basis. On external façades we recommend sawn, sandblasted or riven, because these finishes show the sediment band structure more vividly.

Frequently asked questions

Can Tobacco be polished?

A genuine high-gloss polish is not technically achievable on Tobacco — DNSA confirms: “only a matt polish possible”. The reason: the open porous structure and the mineral composition of the sandstone do not permit a mirror-smooth gloss surface. Tobacco is supplied exclusively in matt or lightly satin-honed finishes; the variants currently available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page. These matt finishes underline the authentic, natural character of the sandstone.

What is Tobacco geologically?

Tobacco is a fine- to medium-grained sandstone from the quarries around Kunming in the southern Chinese province of Yunnan — confirmed by DNSA under entry #5460 as YELLOW KUNMING. Sandstones form through the consolidation of quartz sand deposits under pressure and with siliceous or carbonate binders. The warm honey-brown colouring derives from iron oxide and limonite-bearing binder components. In international trade the material also runs under Yellow Kunming, Pietra Dorata China, Yellow Grit Kunming and Asia Dorato.

What finishes are available in Tobacco?

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

Is Tobacco suitable for a kitchen worktop?

Not to be recommended. The high water absorption (3.39 %), the low abrasion resistance (Mohs hardness 4-6, softer than marble) and the absence of a high-polish variant make the material unsuitable for intensive cooking applications. Possible for decorative bar counters in prestige rooms with clear expectations regarding care and consistent sealing, unsuitable for carefree kitchen applications. For carefree kitchen worktops we recommend a granite, quartzite or engineered quartz.

Is Tobacco suitable as a floor covering?

DNSA rates the stone as “barely suitable as a floor covering”, because the abrasion value (27.4 cm³/50cm²) is too high for heavily used floors. Tobacco is primarily suited to use as a wall and decorative material. If it is nevertheless wanted for floor applications, it should be used only in very lightly frequented interior areas (prestige surfaces with minimal loading). For classical residential or commercial floor coverings we recommend granite, quartzite or a harder sandstone.

Where does Tobacco come from?

Tobacco comes from the quarries around Kunming, the capital of the southern Chinese province of Yunnan. Important: several further stones exist with similar-sounding trade names — “Tobacco Brown” denotes, depending on the source, a Canadian dolomite (Wiarton Dark) or a Brazilian granite; “Tobacco Brown Marble” is a Canadian marble. At ROSSITTIS the material is exclusively the Chinese Yellow Kunming sandstone. Internationally the material also runs under the less ambiguous designations Yellow Kunming, Pietra Dorata China, Yellow Grit Kunming and Asia Dorato.

How do I clean and care for Tobacco?

Because of the high water absorption (3.39 %), sealing is mandatory — refresh it every 2-3 years for internal applications and annually for external applications. Day-to-day care with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a microfibre cloth. Consistently avoid acidic cleaners, cement film removers and strongly alkaline agents — discolouration can become visibly apparent on the light tobacco-honey-brown tone. On textured finishes such as sawn or riven, occasional cleaning with a soft brush is advisable.

What does Tobacco 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.