Tropical Black (also Tropical Storm Black Granite, Tropical Night Granite, Black Storm Granite or Black Tropical) is a Brazilian gneiss of the granite family with a deep black to anthracite groundmass, run through by dramatically flowing bands of orange rust-red feldspar, whitish-grey quartz and subtle silvery-white mica accents. Listed in the trade as a granite, high in strength, frost-resistant and acid-resistant — used for expressive kitchen worktops, bar counters, feature walls, floor surfaces, staircases and external façades with a high material ambition and a dramatic movement look.
Petrographically it is more precisely a gneiss or migmatite from the Precambrian Brazilian shield — a metamorphic rock with pronounced foliation. Listed in the trade and in construction as a granite for years, since its technical behaviour corresponds to that of classic granites (high compressive strength, low water absorption, frost- and acid-resistant).
Other trade names: Black Storm Granite, Preto Tropical, RO-01-443, Tropical Night Granite, Tropical Storm Black Granite
About Tropical Black
Tropical Black belongs to the family of dramatically composed Brazilian movement granites — exotic hard stones from the Precambrian shield of Brazil which, through their strongly pronounced metamorphic foliation and their dramatically flowing bands of movement, are among the most theatrical natural dimension stones on the international market. Brazil is among the world's leading suppliers of exotic hard stones, and the movement granite family has been established since the 2000s as a premium statement material in international high-end kitchen and design architecture. Tropical Black shows the typical movement characteristic with an intensely black ground and high-contrast warm orange as well as light quartz and feldspar bands that flow across the slab image like currents. On the international market the stone is listed under several parallel trade names: Tropical Black, Tropical Storm Black Granite, Tropical Night Granite, Black Storm Granite and Black Tropical.
Geologically it is petrographically a gneiss or migmatite from the Precambrian Brazilian shield — a metamorphic rock formed from igneous or sedimentary parent rocks by high pressure and high temperatures, developing in the process its characteristic fabric-oriented mineral arrangement with pronounced foliation. In the stone trade Tropical Black is traditionally listed as a granite — the convention established on the international market for high-strength exotic hard stones. The deep black groundmass consists predominantly of biotite- and amphibole-rich components, while the warm orange to rust-red accent bands are formed by iron-oxide-rich feldspar components — typically orthoclase or plagioclase discoloured by iron oxide. The lighter white-grey zones consist of quartz and colourless feldspar. The flowing banded structure is the result of metamorphic foliation during the Precambrian orogeny, which aligned the original mineral components into parallel-oriented tracks.
Visually, Tropical Black is characterised by an exceptionally theatrical, almost tropical-stormy, painterly material signature. Over a deep black base tone, powerful warm orange to rust-red bands of movement spread out, interspersed with lighter white-grey quartz and feldspar currents and occasional silvery mica accents. The structuring is decidedly dynamic — the flowing bands create an impression of movement and energy that the marketing name “Tropical Storm” captures perfectly. The slab-to-slab variation is considerable and is an essential characteristic of the stone. With bookmatch laying — mirror-image installation of adjacent slabs — particularly impressive, almost surrealist symmetrical large-scale patterns arise with the full dramatic effect of the multicoloured composition.
Technically, Tropical Black behaves like a classic granite — the gneiss/migmatite mineralogy has technical properties that correspond to those of classic granites or exceed them: high compressive strength (typically 150 to 200 MPa), low water absorption (typically 0.1 to 0.3 %), complete frost and acid resistance. Quantitative DNSA data sheets with measured values are not available for this specific variety, but the general properties of Brazilian movement granites are well documented. Tropical Black is insensitive to acid from lemon juice, vinegar, wine, cola and all household acids — a central advantage over marbles and limestones. Its high mechanical robustness qualifies the stone without restriction for intensive interior and exterior applications.
In interior fit-out, Tropical Black is a statement material for the highest design ambitions where a dramatically lively black-and-orange material effect is wanted. Classic applications are kitchen worktops in design kitchens in which the material acts as the visual focal point of the architecture; feature walls in living rooms, hotel lobbies and entrance areas; bar counters and counter fronts; table and console tops as statement furniture; fireplace surrounds with a dramatic effect. The powerfully dark tonality with its warm orange bands of movement harmonises particularly with dark brown timber fittings in walnut, mahogany or dark oak, with brass, bronze and gold accents, with restrained black and with muted earth tones. Outdoors it finds use as a façade accent, entrance cladding and prestigious paving in high-quality external areas — the frost and acid resistance typical of granite qualify it without restriction for Central European climatic conditions.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
11 slabs in stock · plus 1 block
Thicknesses: 2 cm · Finishes: Polished · Available as: Slabs
Tropical Black is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.
Polished
Polishing is the most classic finish in the hard stone segment — a mirror-smooth, high-gloss surface with the highest possible colour intensity and maximum depth effect in the mineral structure. As an acid-resistant silicate stone, polished granite is easy to care for and the first choice for kitchen worktops, wall claddings and prestigious exposed surfaces.
Care & fabrication
As a Brazilian gneiss/migmatite of the granite family, Tropical Black is decidedly easy to care for. Indoors, warm water with a pH-neutral stone cleaning agent is sufficient for daily cleaning; aggressive household cleaners, descalers containing citric acid and abrasive sponges are unnecessary and should be avoided. On polished kitchen worktops, an impregnation with a solvent-based impregnating agent suitable for dark hard stones is recommended after installation and then every 2 to 3 years, in order to reduce the absorption of oil, grease and intensely coloured foodstuffs over the long term. With the dark material signature, water-droplet rings and pigment stains are less visible than on light stones, and a proper impregnation mitigates this risk further. Soiling should nevertheless be taken up promptly. Outdoors, regular cleaning with clear water and occasionally a soft brush is sufficient; where green growth takes hold in shaded locations, commercially available algae and moss cleaners can be used. Hot pots can be set down directly on the worktop — Tropical Black is heat-resistant. Road salt in winter does not harm the stone and may be used, but should be rinsed off thoroughly after the frost period in order to avoid salt crystallisation.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tropical Black a genuine granite?
In the trade and in construction Tropical Black has been listed as a granite for years, which is the established German and international convention. Petrographically it is more precisely a gneiss or migmatite from the Precambrian Brazilian shield — a metamorphic rock formed by high pressure and high temperatures which developed its characteristic banded foliation during metamorphosis. Gneisses and migmatites behave technically like granites (high compressive strength, low water absorption, frost- and acid-resistant) and are treated accordingly in construction.
What does the designation “Tropical” in the marketing name mean?
The marketing name “Tropical” refers to the Brazilian origin of the stone and to its dynamically lively material signature, which recalls tropical, stormy movements. The marketing variant “Tropical Storm Black Granite” makes this association explicit. Tropical Black, Tropical Storm Black Granite, Tropical Night Granite, Black Storm Granite and Black Tropical are synonymous trade names used in parallel depending on the marketing of the supplier.
What are the warm orange bands of movement?
The characteristic warm orange to rust-red accent bands that run dramatically through the slab image arise from iron-oxide-rich feldspar components — typically orthoclase or plagioclase discoloured by iron oxide. The rust-orange tonality is the result of iron-oxide mineralisations during the metamorphic history or of subsequent weathering of the feldspar mineral components. These bands are the defining visual characteristic of the stone and distinguish Tropical Black clearly from monotonally black Brazilian hard stones.
Is Tropical Black suitable for kitchen worktops?
Outstandingly so. The properties typical of granite — acid resistance to lemon juice, vinegar and wine, high compressive strength, low water absorption and heat resistance — qualify Tropical Black without restriction for intensively used kitchen worktops. The spectacular black-and-orange movement look makes it a statement choice for design kitchens that want a powerful material character. An impregnation after installation and then every 2 to 3 years is recommended, but is not essential to its function.
Is Tropical Black suitable for outdoor use?
Outstandingly so. The frost and acid resistance typical of granite qualify Tropical Black without restriction for external applications in Central European climatic conditions. It is used for façade claddings, plinth slabs, stairs, paving and pool surrounds. On walkable external surfaces, the choice of a matt, textured finish is to be recommended. The powerful dark orange tonality is particularly impressive under clear light and harmonises with modern architecture.
Which slab formats are usual for Tropical Black?
Standard large formats from the Brazilian quarries typically lie between 280 × 160 cm and 320 × 200 cm at thicknesses of 2 cm and 3 cm. Special thicknesses (1 cm and 1.5 cm for lightweight wall claddings, 4 cm and more for stairs, paving and massive applications) are also sourced through ROSSITTIS. Because of the high slab-to-slab variation, viewing the specific slabs (a sample presentation) is particularly important with Tropical Black — the actual slab should be assessed before installation.
What does Tropical Black 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.
