In the international stone industry trade fairs any observer would have noticed that several Indian companies (especially from the north), exhibit a wide range of stones that look like sandstone. Most of the time these stones are quartzite, though in commercial parlance, they are often sold as sandstone. This article explores the world of quartzite in India.

According to the study realized by Cid Chiodi Filho for the Brazilian association ABIROCHAS and released in the first months of 2013, the exports of the country of ornamental rocks were 1,060 million US$ in 2012, out of which 76,8% consisted of processed stone and the remaining were rough blocks. This figure was 6,08% higher in value and 2,27% higher in physical volume compared to 2011. The following tables highlight the most significant aspects of the Brazilian industry.

EXPORTS

In 2012, Italy exported stone for a value of 1,810,421,274 Euros for a total of 4,178,259 tons, recording an increase of +9,8% in value and +4,17% in quantity compared to 2011, returning to 2005 volumes and values.

In 2012, 1 million and 380 thousand tons of marble were exported in blocks and slabs, showing a +7,2% increase on 2011, for a value of over 305 million Euros, showing a growth trend of close to +6%. The average unit value decreased slightly though, from 224 Euros per ton to 221 Euros.

1. There has been a slowdown in the number of private sector projects coming in the market in second half of the year. Many of these projects are now in state of stand-bye.

2. The Polish market for natural stone became even more price conscious as a result of a more difficult environment.

3. Increased price sensitivity meant that cheap Chinese stones were increasing their market share.

The German Natural Stone Industry Association (DNV) has recently elaborated the statistics of the sector during the last decade. We publish below a summary.

“The colours of Green: sustainable stone”. This has been the theme of the sixth edition of the show MARMOMACC MEETS DESIGN, organised by the Verona fair (September 2012).

India is well known all over the world for its wide variety of granites, but the general impression is they are located in the south of the country. The north, especially the state of Rajasthan, is usually associated with marble, sandstone and slates. Few associate the state of Rajasthan with a granite industry. Yet, in an almost furtive manner, unknown to most of the stone industry people, a significant granite industry has been developing in the state in recent years. This relatively recent industry is not just processing materials extracted elsewhere.

Paulo Florio Giafarov - paulo@dggstones.com

With an area of approximately 8.5 million square kilometers, much of it unexplored, Brazil has an enormous potential for research and the discovery of new ornamental stones.

Apart from the well known deposits of granite in India, the country also has the biggest deposits of Green Marble (sometimes known as Verde Guatemala in the international markets). Its technical definition would be recrystallised, compact variety of metamorphosed limestone capable of taking polish, rock composed of Serpentine. The Indian green is a very compact and mature marble and is strong. Its hardness / strength is greater in comparison to other green stones found elsewhere. For example, Indian marble does not warp.