Anorthosit

Listed in our range under Granite.

Wolga Blue

Wolga Blue is one of the best-known European labradorite anorthosites — a Precambrian Ukrainian plutonic rock from the Chernyakhiv district in Zhytomyr province in northern Ukraine, with a deep black groundmass and spectacular turquoise-blue schiller reflections (labradorescence). Petrographically an anorthosite dominated by plagioclase feldspar (labradorite). Internationally also traded as Volga Blue, Volga Blue Granite and Labradorite Volga Blue; used for statement wall claddings, bar counters, designer kitchen worktops, bookmatch settings, fireplace surrounds, sculptures and prestige interior surfaces with a dramatically shifting dark blue material effect.

Petrographically, Wolga Blue is an anorthosite — a basic plutonic igneous rock consisting of more than 90 % plagioclase feldspar (labradorite). 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 Wolga Blue in the granite family in line with trade usage, following the widely established trade convention for anorthosites and labradorite-bearing rocks. The trade designation “Wolga” refers to the Russian-Ukrainian river, but is geographically imprecise — the actual quarries lie in the Cherniakhiv district in the province of Zhytomyr in northern Ukraine.

Anorthosit Ukraine 2.795 kg/m³

Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs · 1 of 67 reserved

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About Wolga Blue

Wolga Blue shows an exceptionally dramatic slab character with the spectacular labradorescence of its coarse-grained labradorite crystals. The groundmass is a deep black to dark grey anorthosite matrix — anorthosite is a plutonic igneous rock consisting almost entirely (over 90 %) of plagioclase feldspar (labradorite-bytownite). The individual labradorite crystals show the characteristic 'labradorescence' or 'adularescence' — a physical-optical effect in which light is scattered within the lamellar microstructure of the mineral and reflected in spectacular spectral colours. As the incidence of light changes, the stone shows a dramatically shifting character with intense turquoise-blue, royal blue and occasionally violet or greenish-blue reflections. The slab looks positively 'alive' and seems to shimmer, as if deep-sea landscapes or cosmic worlds were moving within the stone. The mineral structure is isotropic (without direction) with a coarse-grained anorthosite character. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Geologically, Wolga Blue is a Precambrian anorthosite from the Ukrainian Shield — one of the oldest and largest Precambrian granite/anorthosite complexes in Europe. The quarries lie specifically in the Chernyakhiv district in Zhytomyr province in northern Ukraine. Petrographically, Wolga Blue is a basic plutonic igneous rock consisting almost entirely of plagioclase feldspar — a rare class of rock, quarried commercially above all in Norway (Blue Pearl), Madagascar, Brazil, Angola (Angola Moon Luanda) and Ukraine. Related Ukrainian grades from the same quarry area are Golovino and Rasputin (with almost identical mineralogy and similar technical values). Several synonyms are in circulation in international trade: Volga Blue (the English trade name), Volga Blue Granite (following the granite trade convention), Labradorite Volga Blue, Wolga Blau (a German spelling variant) and Ukrainian Blue. In the trade the stone is traditionally listed as a 'granite', which is not entirely correct petrographically — at ROSSITTIS we classify Wolga Blue within the granite family in line with the widespread trade convention for anorthosites and labradorite-bearing rocks.

Technically Wolga Blue shows exceptionally strong values: bulk density 2,795 kg/m³ (very high — typical for anorthosites), water absorption 0.21 % (low), good compressive and flexural strength, Mohs hardness 6 (typical for plagioclase-dominated hard stones). Full acid resistance is confirmed for it as a silicate rock — wine, lemon juice, vinegar or sanitary cleaners leave no etch marks as they would on marble or limestone. This makes Wolga Blue fully everyday-capable for demanding interior applications, including intensively used kitchen worktops and designer settings.

At ROSSITTIS we stock Wolga Blue as a raw slab in 10, 12, 13, 20, 30 and 40 mm thickness (from fine wall 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 available standard finish is polished (a classic high gloss with the full labradorescence — the typical and practically the only sensible treatment for this material). The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Compared with other anorthosite hard stones, Wolga Blue is one of the best-known European grades: Blue Pearl Royal (a Norwegian anorthosite from Larvik) is markedly paler with large crystalline plagioclase mosaics; Labrador Bianco (Norwegian) has a paler groundmass; Angola Moon Luanda (an Angolan anorthosite) is similar in character but somewhat darker and more uniform; Madagascar Blue (labradorite) is more intense in colour. Within the anorthosite family, Wolga Blue positions itself as the balanced version with a dramatic dark groundmass and a spectacular turquoise-blue schiller. The designation 'Wolga' (Volga) refers to the great Russian-Ukrainian river, but is not entirely precise geographically — the quarries actually lie in the Zhytomyr district in northern Ukraine, not directly on the Volga (which flows further east in Russia). The trade designation was coined historically and has become established in the international market. For architectural projects with a dramatic dark blue material effect — designer kitchens with a statement character, hotel lobbies with a crystalline elegance, prestige wall claddings, exclusive fireplace surrounds, bar counters with a shifting depth and building applications with particular design ambitions — Wolga Blue is an exceptional and unmistakable choice in the upper premium segment.

In stock

Current availability from our warehouse.

67 slabs in stock — 66 available now, 1 reserved · plus 34 blocks

Thicknesses: 1–4 cm · Finishes: Polished · Available as: Slabs, Skirting, Tiles and flooring slabs

Updated daily from our live stock.

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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.

Rohdichte 2.795 kg/m³

Druckfestigkeit 162,0 MPa

Biegezugfestigkeit 21,0 MPa

Wasseraufnahme 0,21 %

Finishes

Wolga Blue 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 Ukrainian anorthosite, Wolga Blue is a robust hard stone with low water absorption (0.21 %), basic acid resistance and good mechanical strength. Wine, lemon juice, vinegar, cola, sanitary cleaners or descalers leave no visible etch marks as they would on marble or limestone — the stone is considerably easier to look after and well suited to intensive everyday use.

For interior applications we recommend a silane- or polysiloxane-based impregnation at first installation. With its low water absorption, Wolga Blue is practically non-absorbent — the impregnation serves as additional insurance. On polished surfaces a refresh every 5–8 years is enough; on heavily used kitchen worktops, 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 in principle acceptable, but should not be used regularly, because they can attack the impregnation. The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Particularly important for the schiller effect: impregnations and care products can, if wrongly chosen, dampen the labradorescence or change it visually. We recommend exclusively silane/polysiloxane-based impregnations without film formers — these preserve the full visual character of the stone. Film-forming care products or coatings are to be avoided, because they can impair the unique visual effect of the labradorite crystals.

For kitchen worktops Wolga Blue is well suited: cut- and scratch-resistant (Mohs hardness 6), 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 and with excellent stain repellency thanks to its low water absorption. The dramatic schiller effect gives designer kitchens an extraordinary visual character that uniform dark granites do not offer.

For exterior applications Wolga Blue is only recommended with reservations — on heavily UV-exposed exterior façades, loss of gloss and a reduced schiller effect can appear after some years. For exterior applications we recommend alternative dark granites with better UV resistance. For pool areas and outdoor terraces the polished surface is unsuitable because of the risk of slipping.

Frequently asked questions

What is the blue schiller effect in Wolga Blue?

The characteristic dramatic blue, turquoise and occasionally violet schiller effect in Wolga Blue is called 'labradorescence' (or 'adularescence') and is a physical-optical phenomenon of the coarse-grained labradorite plagioclase crystals of which the stone consists to more than 90 %. Light is scattered within the lamellar microstructure of the labradorite crystals and reflected in spectacular spectral colours. As the incidence of light changes, the stone shows a dramatically shifting character — the slab seems positively to glow.

What is Wolga Blue geologically?

Wolga Blue is a Precambrian anorthosite from the Ukrainian Shield — one of the oldest and largest Precambrian anorthosite complexes in Europe. The quarries lie in the Chernyakhiv district in Zhytomyr province in northern Ukraine. Anorthosite is a basic plutonic igneous rock consisting of more than 90 % plagioclase feldspar (labradorite) — a rare class of rock. In the trade it is listed as a 'granite'; at ROSSITTIS we classify the material within the granite family in line with trade convention.

Does Wolga Blue really come from the Volga?

The trade designation 'Wolga' (Volga) refers by name to the great Russian-Ukrainian river, but is not entirely precise geographically — the actual quarries lie in the Chernyakhiv district of Zhytomyr province in northern Ukraine, not directly on the Volga (which flows further east in Russia). The trade designation was coined historically but has become established in the international market. Related Ukrainian grades from the same quarry area are Golovino and Rasputin.

Which synonyms are there?

In international trade, Wolga Blue also runs under the designations Volga Blue (the main English name), Volga Blue Granite (following the granite trade convention), Labradorite Volga Blue, Wolga Blau (a German spelling variant) and Ukrainian Blue. All designations refer to the same Ukrainian anorthosite from the Chernyakhiv quarry area.

Which technical values does Wolga Blue have?

Solid values: bulk density 2,795 kg/m³ (very high — typical for anorthosites), water absorption 0.21 % (low), good compressive and flexural strength, Mohs hardness 6 (typical for plagioclase-dominated hard stones). Full acid resistance is confirmed for it as a silicate rock. These values qualify the stone for demanding interior applications, including intensively used kitchen worktops.

Wolga Blue or Blue Pearl?

Both are anorthosites with labradorescence, but they differ clearly in character and appearance. Blue Pearl Royal (a Norwegian anorthosite from Larvik) is paler with large crystalline plagioclase mosaics and a very pronounced schiller effect — the exclusive Norwegian version. Wolga Blue (a Ukrainian anorthosite) is darker with a more dramatic black-and-blue basic mood and more intense turquoise-blue reflections — the Ukrainian premium version. Both are suited to statement settings; the choice is an aesthetic decision between a paler (Blue Pearl) and a dramatically darker (Wolga Blue) character.

Is Wolga Blue suitable for a kitchen worktop?

Yes, well suited. With Mohs hardness 6, low water absorption (0.21 %), good compressive and flexural strength and basic acid resistance, the stone is cut-, scratch- and heat-resistant. The dramatic schiller effect gives designer kitchens an extraordinary visual character.

Which surface finishes are available for Wolga Blue?

The surface finishes available from stock are listed in the »Finishes« block on this page.

What does Wolga Blue 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.