Vittra Crystal

Geologically it is a quartzite — a metamorphic rock that arose from original quartz-bearing sandstones under high pressure and temperature. During metamorphism the original quartz sand grains fused with one another under pressure and temperature and were reformed into a dense, crystalline quartzite composite. Mineralogically, Vittra Crystal is an exceptionally pure quartzite with a high quartz content, which gives it its characteristic technical robustness and its acid-insensitive property. The dramatic three-colour composition results from three different phases of mineralisation: the deep storm-grey and graphite-coloured areas consist of organic, carbon-bearing or biotite-rich components in the original sandstone sediments; the arctic white areas result from pure quartz and calcite mineralisations with excellent translucency; the strong wine-red to oxide-red vein bands arise from iron-oxide-rich mineralisations that ran through the quartzite in tectonic zones of weakness during or after the metamorphism. This complex history of mineralisation produces the unique three-colour slab image — a composition that is rare on the international quartzite market.

Visually, Vittra Crystal is marked by an exceptionally theatrical, almost volcanic and icy material signature. The deep storm-grey and graphite-black areas stand in maximum contrast to the arctic white passages with their translucent crystalline quartz zones — an almost surreal composition of ice-cold brightness and deep dark stone. The strong wine-red to oxide-red vein bands run through the slab image as dramatic accents that act like petrified lava flow between the ice-grey areas. Slab variation is considerable and is intrinsic to the stone. With bookmatched installation — mirror-image laying of adjacent slabs — particularly impressive, almost surrealist symmetrical large-scale patterns arise with the full dramatic effect of the theatrical three-colour composition.

Technically, Vittra Crystal ranks among the highest-quality Brazilian quartzites with the following characteristic values: bulk density 2,680 to 2,780 kg/m³, compressive strength 130.68 MPa, flexural strength 17 to 20 MPa (exceptionally high), water absorption of only 0.13 % (extremely low). Acid resistance is present as a typical property of genuine quartzites — Vittra Crystal is acid-insensitive towards lemon juice, vinegar, wine, cola and all household acids, a central advantage over marbles and limestones. Heat resistance is outstanding; hot pots can be set down directly on the worktop. This combination of properties qualifies Vittra Crystal without restriction for intensively used kitchen worktops and prestige internal and external applications including pool surrounds.

In interior fit-out, Vittra Crystal is a statement material par excellence for the highest design demands and exclusive architecture. Classical applications are kitchen worktops in design kitchens, in which the material acts as the visual centrepiece of the architecture; accent walls in living rooms, hotel lobbies and entrance areas; bar counters and counter fronts; bathroom accent walls behind free-standing tubs; table and console tops as statement furniture; fireplace surrounds with dramatic effect. The powerful three-colour tonality harmonises particularly with dark timber in walnut, mahogany or oak, with brass, bronze and gold accents, with restrained black and with clear white. Vittra Crystal is a visual soloist of the highest expressive power — it works most strongly in restrained, refined surroundings in which it is allowed to act as the undisputed centrepiece. Outdoors it finds use as a façade accent, pool surrounds, entrance cladding and prestige paving — the frost and acid resistance typical of quartzite qualify it without restriction for central European climatic conditions.