Verde Forest is a classic Brazilian serpentinite from the state of Minas Gerais — a metamorphic hard rock with a deep forest to jade green ground tone, a characteristic brecciated, nodular structure and fine white calcite vein bands. In the trade it is usually classified as a 'granite' (a trade convention), but petrographically it is a serpentinite, closely related to Verde Maritaca from the same quarry area. Internationally also traded as Verde Floresta Granite, Verde Foresta Granite, Piracema Green Granite and Verde Maritaca Granite; used for statement wall claddings, bar counters, designer kitchen worktops, floor areas, window sills and prestige interior surfaces with a warm green Mediterranean material effect.
Petrographically, Verde Forest is a serpentinite from the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais — a metamorphic hard rock that arose from ultrabasic plutonic igneous rocks (peridotites/pyroxenites) through hydration and metamorphism. In international trade the stone is traditionally listed as “granite”, because in fabrication and mechanical properties it is handled like a classical hard stone. At ROSSITTIS we classify Verde Forest in the granite family in line with trade usage, following the widely established trade convention for serpentinitic hard stones. Important: the white calcite vein bands it contains are acid-sensitive as carbonates — careful maintenance is advisable.
Serpentinite
India
Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs ·
1 of 49 reserved
Other trade names: Green Piracema Granite, Green Snake, Indian Green, Indian Green Guatemala, KG 17, Piracema Granite, Piracema Green Granite, RO-02-152, Rajasthan Sea Green, Verde Floresta Granite, Verde Foresta Granite, Verde Maritaca, Verde Maritaca Granite
About Verde Forest
Verde Forest shows an exceptionally characterful deep green tone with a classically serpentinitic, flowing slab appearance. The groundmass consists predominantly of deep jade to forest green areas with subtle transitions into lighter green-creamy and dark anthracite-grey zones. Characteristic is the brecciated, nodular structure — typical of serpentinites, in which the original olivine-bearing igneous rock was transformed during high-grade metamorphism into a coherently intergrown hybrid rock. Characteristic fine white to creamy calcite vein bands run across the slab, threading through the green groundmass in irregular branching patterns. The individual areas flow organically into one another without hard boundaries — like a frozen geological flow pattern with deep material presence. Here and there, subtle dark mineral zones set additional accents of depth. On a polished surface the stone develops a dramatic depth — the green areas intensify richly, the white vein bands contrast luminously and the stone looks like a forest lake or a jade shimmer set in stone. On a satin-honed surface the warm green character is preserved but is more subtle.
Geologically, Verde Forest is a serpentinite from the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, one of the most significant hard stone provinces in South America. Serpentinite is a metamorphic rock formed from ultrabasic plutonic igneous rocks (peridotites or pyroxenites) through hydration and metamorphism — the originally olivine-rich minerals are converted during metamorphism into serpentine minerals (antigorite, lizardite, chrysotile), which produces the characteristic deep green tone. Petrographically, therefore, Verde Forest is strictly speaking not a granite but a serpentinite. In international trade the stone is traditionally listed as a 'granite' — a trade convention common in Brazil for serpentinitic hard stones, which are handled like classic granites in fabrication. At ROSSITTIS we classify Verde Forest within the granite family in line with widespread trade convention, but point out the correct petrographic classification as a serpentinite.
Several synonyms are in circulation in international trade: Verde Floresta Granite (the original Portuguese name — 'green forest'), Verde Foresta Granite (the Italian spelling variant), Piracema Green Granite (after the Piracema quarry area in Minas Gerais), Verde Maritaca Granite (a related grade from the same quarry complex) and Verde Forest. Important: Verde Forest and Verde Maritaca are used partly as synonyms and partly as slightly different grades with somewhat different vein patterns or variations in tone — both come from the same Minas Gerais complex near Piracema. The Brazilian origin is consistently documented in the international market.
The typical technical properties of Brazilian serpentinites are high compressive strength, low water absorption, a Mohs hardness of around 5–6 (typical for serpentine minerals) and a basic acid resistance of the main silicate minerals — but caution is called for with the calcite vein bands they contain, which can be acid-sensitive. The flowing material effect gives the stone an exceptional visual depth that other green natural stones rarely achieve.
At ROSSITTIS we stock Verde Forest as a raw slab in 8, 10, 20, 30 and 61 mm thickness (from fine wall and floor tiles through standard gauges to solid applications for stairs or bar counters), in tiles for floor and wall applications, as a skirting and for project-specific cutting to size. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.
Compared with other green Brazilian serpentinites, Verde Forest is the balanced standard version: Verde Maritaca (from the same quarry area) is in the narrower sense synonymous with Verde Forest, or slightly different in its vein pattern; Verde Marinace (Bahia, a different granite-conglomerate type) is a conglomerate with green clasts, not a serpentinite; Verde Imperial (India) is an Indian granite with a different mineral composition; Verde Guatemala (a different material) is a marble with different properties. Within the green Brazilian serpentinite family from Minas Gerais, Verde Forest is the most widely used version. For architectural projects with a warm green material effect — designer bar counters in premium restaurants, statement wall claddings in hotels and spas, floor areas with a calm green character, bar counters with a dramatically elegant look and exclusive interior surfaces with a naturalistic forest feel — Verde Forest is a tradition-rich and expressive choice.
In stock
Current availability from our warehouse.
49 slabs in stock — 48 available now, 1 reserved · plus 19 blocks
Thicknesses: 0.8–6.1 cm · Finishes: Polished, Satin-honed, Honed C220 · Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs
Verde Forest is available in a range of finishes. The finish affects appearance, feel and the care it needs.
Polished
Polishing creates a glossy surface with the highest possible colour intensity and a pronounced depth effect in the characteristically green mineral structure. Depending on the composition, the effect can be semi-gloss in places. As a silicate stone it is fundamentally acid-resistant; calcitic vein sections must be treated with care where acids are concerned.
Satin-honed
The surface is brushed — softer minerals are removed in a targeted way, creating a slight depth with a matt appearance. Veined serpentinites gain a particularly characterful look and feel in this way. Easy to care for in daily use; the more matt finish conceals minor traces of everyday care better than polished.
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 more scratch-resistant and stylistically matt-elegant. A calm finish for modern floor areas and wall claddings with reduced reflection.
Care & fabrication
As a Brazilian serpentinite, Verde Forest is a robust hard stone with good mechanical strength and a basic acid resistance of its main silicate minerals. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar or sanitary cleaners leave no visible etch marks on the serpentinite mineral areas. Important restriction: the calcite vein bands it contains are carbonates and therefore acid-sensitive — on contact with acid, slight etch marks can appear on the white vein traces. An honest expectation is worthwhile here.
For interior applications we recommend a silane- or polysiloxane-based impregnation at first installation. On the heterogeneous serpentinite-calcite structure, impregnation is particularly important, because pigments can otherwise settle more visibly. On polished surfaces a refresh every 5–8 years is enough; on heavily used kitchen worktops or bar counters, check every 2–3 years.
Day-to-day care is done with a pH-neutral natural stone cleaner and a soft cloth or microfibre mop. Clear warm water is usually enough. Acidic cleaners are to be avoided in principle — they can attack both the impregnation and the calcite vein bands. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.
For kitchen worktops Verde Forest is well suited: cut- and scratch-resistant (Mohs hardness 5–6, somewhat less hard than granite), insensitive to heat (hot pots and pans can be set down directly for short periods, but longer heat exposure above 200 °C should still be avoided), acid-resistant in principle in the serpentinitic areas — but with caution where the white calcite veins are concerned. The expressive green material effect conceals small marks of use remarkably well. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.
For exterior applications we recommend a project-specific data sheet check of the frost resistance before ordering. If it is approved for exterior use, a satin-honed or textured finish for slip resistance makes sense. Polished exterior surfaces can show minimal losses of gloss after years in locations with heavy UV exposure.
Frequently asked questions
What is Verde Forest geologically?
Petrographically, Verde Forest is a serpentinite from the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. Serpentinite is a metamorphic rock formed from ultrabasic plutonic igneous rocks (peridotites or pyroxenites) through hydration and metamorphism — the originally olivine-rich minerals are converted during metamorphism into serpentine minerals, which produces the characteristic deep green tone. In the trade it is listed as a 'granite'; at ROSSITTIS we classify the material within the granite family in line with the Brazilian trade convention for serpentinitic hard stones.
Which synonyms are there?
In international trade, Verde Forest also runs under the designations Verde Floresta Granite (the original Portuguese name — 'green forest'), Verde Foresta Granite (the Italian spelling variant), Piracema Green Granite (after the Piracema quarry area in Minas Gerais) and Verde Maritaca Granite (a related grade from the same quarry complex). Verde Forest and Verde Maritaca are used partly as synonyms and partly as slightly different grades.
What are the white veins?
The characteristic fine white to creamy vein bands in Verde Forest are secondary calcite mineralisations — carbonate solutions that penetrated fine fissures and joints in the serpentinite during or after the main metamorphism and crystallised there. These calcite vein bands give the stone its characteristic contrast to the green groundmass, but as carbonates they are acid-sensitive — careful maintenance is worthwhile.
Verde Forest or Verde Maritaca?
Both are Brazilian serpentinites from the same quarry complex in Minas Gerais (Piracema region). They are used partly as synonyms and partly as slightly different grades — the differences lie in the vein pattern, the intensity of the green tone or the distribution of the white calcite veins. For orders we recommend a project-specific slab selection, because individual slabs can vary strongly from block to block.
Is Verde Forest acid-resistant?
The main serpentinitic minerals (antigorite, lizardite) are acid-resistant like all silicate rocks — wine, lemon juice or vinegar leave no etch marks on the green areas. BUT: the white calcite vein bands it contains are carbonates and therefore acid-sensitive — on contact with acid, slight etch marks can appear on the vein traces. If wine, lemon or tomato sauce is spilled you should react promptly in order to protect the calcite veins.
Is Verde Forest suitable for a kitchen worktop?
Yes, well suited — with the typical serpentinite properties: cut- and scratch-resistant (Mohs hardness 5–6), insensitive to heat, acid-resistant in principle in the serpentinitic areas. The expressive green forest look suits designer kitchens with a naturalistic material staging. Where the white calcite veins are concerned, more careful maintenance than with pure granites or quartzites makes sense. An honest expectation about the acid reactivity of the calcite veins is advisable.
Which surface finishes are available for Verde Forest?
The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.
Where does Verde Forest come from?
Verde Forest comes from the Piracema quarry area in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais — one of the most significant hard stone provinces in South America. The region is known for producing expressive Brazilian serpentinites and hard stones.
What does Verde Forest 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.
