Verde Evolene (also Vert d'Evolène, Pîrra Teindra, Verde Evolène, Vert d'Hérens or Swiss Green Gneiss) is a rare Alpine Swiss metamorphic building stone from the Val d'Hérens near Evolène in Valais, with a dark anthracite-green ground mass crossed by luminous cream-white to light grey quartz veining with a classic directional banded-gneiss structure. Exceptionally high in strength (154.3 MPa compressive strength, high bulk density 2,918 kg/m³) and Alpine frost-resistant — used for fireplace surrounds, wall cladding, vanity tops, floors, sculptures and prestige interior fit-outs with an Alpine, rustic Swiss character and cultural-historical depth.
Petrographisch handelt es sich um einen seltenen metamorphen Werkstein mit ophiolitisch-ultramafischer Herkunft, der im Steinhandel als Gneis klassifiziert wird, mineralogisch aber besser als Serpentinit oder serpentinit-haltiger Metamorphit zu beschreiben ist. Die Mineralzusammensetzung aus Talk, Serpentin, Chlorit und Karbonat ist im Alpenraum extrem selten (weniger als 1 % der alpinen Hartgesteine). Im Steinhandel als „Granit"/„Gneis" geführt — die ungewöhnliche niedrige Härte erlaubt traditionelle Bearbeitung mit Holzbearbeitungswerkzeugen, eine im modernen Naturwerkstein-Markt einzigartige Eigenschaft.
Other trade names: Evolene Quartzite, Evolene Stone, Pierre Evolene, Pîrra Teindra, Verde Evolene Granite, Verde Evolene Prasinit, Vert De Evolene Gneiss, Vert Evolene Gneiss, Vert Evolène Gneiss, Vert d'Evolène
About Verde Evolene
Vert d'Evolène is an exceptionally rare and culturally significant Alpine building stone from the Val d'Hérens near the municipality of Evolène in the Swiss canton of Valais. The stone has been worked by Alpine craftsmen and artisans since prehistoric times — demonstrably since the Stone Age — which gives it an exceptional cultural-historical depth. In the local Franco-Provençal dialect the stone is called 'Pîrra teindra' ('soft stone') — a reference to its unusually low hardness for a decorative stone, which makes it workable with woodworking tools such as saws and lathes. This workability is the defining technical characteristic of the stone and results from its unusual mineral composition of talc, serpentine, carbonate and chlorite — a mineralogy that is extremely rare in the Alpine region (less than 1 % of Alpine hard rocks show this lithology). On the international market the stone is carried under several parallel trade names: Verde Evolene (the Italianised spelling), Vert d'Evolène (the original French spelling), Pîrra Teindra (the local Franco-Provençal name), Vert d'Hérens (referring to the Val d'Hérens) and Swiss Green Gneiss (for English-language marketing).
Geologically it is a rare metamorphic building stone of ophiolitic-ultramafic origin — the mineral composition of talc, serpentine, chlorite and carbonate points to a formation from formerly oceanic igneous parent rocks that were tectonically transported into their present crustal position and metamorphosed during Alpine orogeny. In the stone trade the stone is classified as a 'gneiss'; petrographically correct would be a classification as a serpentinite or serpentinite-bearing metamorphite. The Alpine tectonic history transformed the original rock into a characteristically banded, directional structure — an anthracite-green main mass crossed by luminous cream-white to light grey quartz veining and subtle silvery mica bands.
Visually, Vert d'Evolène is defined by an exceptionally characterful, Alpine and rustic material signature. The ground tone is a powerful dark anthracite-green to silvery grey-green composition with subtle olive-green undertones, crossed by luminous cream-white to light grey quartz veining that runs through the slab pattern as pale stripes and bands. The structuring is directional — the metamorphic foliation of the rock creates a clear direction of movement in the slab pattern, optimised for directional installation. Subtle silvery mica accents and occasional darker mineral points complete the material signature with fine touches of animation. Slab variation is moderate — the overall feel in each delivery is dependable, while individual slabs show different vein widths and directions of movement.
Technically, Vert d'Evolène is among the high-quality Alpine hard rocks, with documented values: bulk density 2918 kg/m³ (exceptionally high), compressive strength 154.3 MPa (high, as is typical of granite), flexural strength 14.4 MPa, water absorption of 0.7 %. The high bulk density and compressive strength qualify the stone for demanding interior applications with high foot traffic. The unusual mineralogy of talc, serpentine and chlorite gives the stone a lower hardness than typical granites or gneisses — a property that was decisive for traditional working with woodworking tools and that today still permits fabrication as sculpture and turned work. Despite the lower hardness, Vert d'Evolène is decidedly robust mechanically. Acid resistance is given as a typical property of the serpentinite-bearing mineralogy. Frost resistance is proven by the Alpine climatic conditions of the region of origin, although not officially tested to a standard.
In interior fit-out, Vert d'Evolène is an exceptional choice for classic Alpine, rustic-elegant and historically Swiss-inspired architecture as well as for culturally aware design schemes. Classic applications are fireplace surrounds — a traditional Swiss use of the stone, cultivated for centuries — wall cladding, vanity tops, floors, sculptures and table tops. The powerful green-grey tonality harmonises particularly with warm timber fittings in the Alpine tradition (larch, spruce, oak), with brass, bronze and copper accents, with muted earth tones and with a Swiss mountain-view atmosphere. Vert d'Evolène is a stone for architecture wanting cultural-historical depth and Alpine identity — it is one of the rare natural building stones whose use establishes a direct connection to a millennia-old European stone craft tradition. In sculptural art and turnery the stone is still worked traditionally today — an application that is rare in the modern natural building stone market and gives Vert d'Evolène a particular cultural position.
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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.
Verde Evolene is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.
Satiniert
Die satinierte Oberfläche entsteht durch Bürsten, das weichere Minerale gezielt entfernt und der Fläche eine leichte Tiefe gibt. Mattes Erscheinungsbild mit subtiler Lichtreflexion und haptisch warmer Wirkung. Pflegeleicht, kratzunempfindlich und alltagstauglich — beliebte Alternative zur Politur in modernen Küchen und Wohnräumen.
Care & fabrication
As an Alpine metamorphic building stone with a serpentinite-bearing mineralogy, Vert d'Evolène is decidedly easy to look after — the mineralogy makes the stone acid-insensitive to lemon juice, vinegar, wine, cola and all household acids. Indoors, warm water with a pH-neutral stone cleaning agent is sufficient for daily cleaning; aggressive household cleaners and abrasive sponges are unnecessary. The unusually low hardness (talc/serpentine mineralogy) makes the stone somewhat more susceptible to scratching and mechanical wear than typical granites — on table and console tops, cutting should be done on separate chopping boards. Professional sealing after installation and every 2 to 3 years thereafter is recommended indoors in order to reduce the take-up of pigments — the moderate water absorption of 0.7 % makes the stone somewhat more maintenance-sensitive than typical granites. On fireplace surrounds, the traditional main Swiss application, heat resistance is excellent. Outdoors, regular cleaning with clear water is sufficient; where biological growth has taken hold in shaded positions, commercially available algae and moss cleaners can be used. De-icing salt in winter should be avoided — the unusual mineralogy is more sensitive to salt crystallisation than pure granites.
Frequently asked questions
What does the designation 'Pîrra Teindra' mean?
'Pîrra Teindra' is the name of the stone in the local Franco-Provençal dialect of Evolène in Swiss Valais and means 'soft stone'. This designation refers to the unusually low hardness of the stone for a decorative building stone, which makes it workable with woodworking tools such as saws and lathes. This workability is the defining technical characteristic of the stone and results from its unusual mineral composition of talc, serpentine, carbonate and chlorite. Vert d'Evolène, Verde Evolene, Verde Evolène, Pîrra Teindra, Vert d'Hérens and Swiss Green Gneiss are synonymous trade names for the same material.
What makes Vert d'Evolène so rare?
Vert d'Evolène is one of the rarest Alpine building stones — less than 1 % of Alpine hard rocks show the specific mineral composition of talc, serpentine, chlorite and carbonate. This mineralogy points to an ophiolitic-ultramafic origin, that is, a formation from formerly oceanic igneous parent rocks that were tectonically transported into their present crustal position and metamorphosed during Alpine orogeny. The geographical restriction to the quarry region near Evolène in the Val d'Hérens (canton of Valais) and the unique mineral characteristics make the stone a specific Swiss natural building stone tradition of cultural-historical value.
What is the historical significance of Vert d'Evolène?
Vert d'Evolène has been worked by Alpine craftsmen and artisans since prehistoric times — demonstrably since the Stone Age. Its unusual workability with woodworking tools made the stone one of the earliest decorative building stones of the Alps. Traditionally it was used for fireplace surrounds (a central application in the Swiss mountain regions), sculptures, turned work and ornaments. This tradition is cultivated to this day — Vert d'Evolène is one of the few natural building stones on the modern market with an unbroken tradition of craft fabrication since the Stone Age.
Is Vert d'Evolène suitable for sculpture and artistic applications?
Yes, outstandingly so. The unusually low hardness of the stone (talc/serpentine mineralogy) makes it ideal for sculptural and turned work — it can even be worked with woodworking tools such as saws and lathes, a property valued in Alpine stonemasonry since the Stone Age. This application is unique in the modern natural building stone market and makes Vert d'Evolène a special material for artisans, sculptors and for architectural applications with a craft and artisanal character.
Is Vert d'Evolène suitable for kitchen worktops?
With small reservations. Acid resistance thanks to the serpentinite-bearing mineralogy is given — the stone withstands lemon juice, vinegar and wine. The unusually low hardness does, however, make the stone somewhat more susceptible to scratching than typical granites — with intensive kitchen use, cutting should be done on separate chopping boards. In design kitchens wanting an Alpine-rustic or historically Swiss feel, use is possible; for intensive family kitchens with high mechanical wear, more robust granites or quartzites are the suitable choice.
Is Vert d'Evolène suitable for fireplace surrounds?
Outstandingly so — fireplace surrounds have been the traditional main Swiss application of the stone for centuries. The high heat resistance, the Alpine-rustic material signature and the cultural-historical connection to Swiss living traditions make Vert d'Evolène the classic choice for fireplace surrounds in Alpine living halls, traditional mountain chalets and also in modern design schemes wanting a Swiss identity. The thermal load at the fireplace is unproblematic for the stone.
