Volupia

Geologically it is a quartzite — a metamorphic rock that formed from original quartz-bearing sandstones through the action of high pressure and temperature. During metamorphosis the original quartz sand grains fused with one another under pressure and temperature and were reformed into a dense, crystalline quartzite composite. Mineralogically, Volupia is an exceptionally pure quartzite with a high quartz content, which gives it its characteristic technical robustness and its acid-insensitive property. The multi-tonal colour composition results from several mineralogical and geological components: the sage-green and teal-green areas arise from chlorite- and epidote-rich mineral components, the rosé to dusky pink bands from haematite-bearing iron oxides in moderate concentration, the bordeaux-red to darker rust-brown veins from concentrated iron-oxide mineralisations, the warm golden brown veins from limonitic goethite components, and the black-anthracite accent structures from organic, carbon-bearing or manganese-iron mineral layering. This complex mineralisation history produces the unique multicoloured slab appearance — a composition that is rare in the international quartzite market.

Visually, Volupia is marked by an exceptionally theatrical, almost watercolour-like painterly material signature. Across a complex base shade of sage-green, teal-green, rosé-dusky pink and cream beige areas, dramatically flowing vein markings spread out in golden brown, bordeaux-red and black-anthracite tones, which draw across the slab appearance like a petrified tropical sunset. The structuring is decidedly lively and lavish — the individual colour components run in fluid, organic movements, layer through one another and thus create a painterly slab appearance of the highest visual complexity. Slab variation is considerable and an essential feature of the stone — every square metre is a one-off. With bookmatch laying — mirror-image laying of adjacent slabs — particularly impressive, almost artwork-like symmetrical large-scale patterns emerge with the full dramatic effect of the multi-tonal composition.

Technically, Volupia is, like all genuine quartzites, one of the most robust natural dimension stones of all: high compressive strength (typically between 200 and 250 MPa for pure quartzites), low water absorption (typically below 0.3 %), high hardness (Mohs hardness 7 for pure quartz), complete frost and acid resistance. Quartzites are acid-insensitive to lemon juice, vinegar, wine, cola and all normal household acids — a central advantage over marbles and limestones. This combination of properties qualifies Volupia without reservation for intensively used kitchen worktops and prestige internal and external applications.

In interior fit-out, Volupia is a statement material par excellence for the highest design demands and exclusive architecture. 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; bathroom feature walls behind free-standing baths and illuminated vanity tops in luxurious bathrooms; table and console tops as statement furniture; fireplace surrounds with a dramatic effect. The powerfully multi-tonal tonality with its flowing transitions between green, rosé, golden brown and bordeaux-red harmonises with numerous design schemes — from contemporary luxurious schemes with warm timber and brass to classically elegant rooms with dark mahogany and gold accents. Volupia is a visual soloist of the highest expressive power — it has the strongest effect in restrained, refined surroundings in which it is allowed to act as the undisputed focal point. Outdoors it finds use as a façade accent, entrance cladding and prestige paving in high-quality external installations.