Belfast Black Granite: complete guide

History and origin

Belfast Black takes its name from the Belfast area in South Africa and is quarried from fine-grained dark rock formations. Commercially it is sold as granite, although petrographically it belongs to the basic rocks such as gabbro or norite. It is widely used for monuments, headstones and worktops thanks to its uniform black, which takes a mirror polish. Marmi di Carrara supplies it on request.

Look and veining

The background is intense black with a very fine grain, almost devoid of visible pattern. Differences between slabs are minimal, making it suitable for work with many adjoining pieces. Polished, it becomes mirror-like; honed, brushed or flamed finishes give matt blacks or dark greys.

Technical properties (indicative)

Recommended uses

Excellent for kitchen worktops, bathroom vanity tops, monuments, engraved plaques and prestige cladding. It is also used outdoors for façades and steps. On polished black surfaces dust and fingerprints are more noticeable, so many people prefer a honed finish in the kitchen.

Care and maintenance

Clean with a microfibre cloth and a neutral detergent, avoiding waxy products that leave marks. Limescale from water can create white marks: drying surfaces after use prevents build-up.

Pairings

• veined white marble for classic contrasts
• gold and polished brass
• light woods such as birch or maple

FAQ