Absolute Black- Varieties from India

World over, the first preferred choice for counter tops are Black ...specifically absolute black. The original absolute black was from Sweden. Later the Belfast black from South Africa was known as absolute black. After the advent of Zimbabwe black, the title went to them

few years back, It was Shanxi black from China, which was known as the best absolute black material.

Today available of shanxi black become scarce . Bulk of Absolute black material is quarried from India. there also there are several types of absolute black. I am narrating below some most popular "absolute blacks' from India

1.Warangal Black : Looks similar like Zimbabwe black, very hard. There are sub types here
Each quarry produces at least three out of the following 'four varieties.

Most dark: Very Dark, Mettalic tone whick stuck , finer grain. But there may be an occasional white vein pass through. This is the most premium variety of Black available in India. Fine grain, Dark colour, Metallic ringing sound (harder) and excellent polish taking ability

Dark : The grains are slightly bigger and from one angle (slab kept on standing position) white dots will be visible

DC: Rings of white dots  throughout the slabs. many time when som one sells "cheaper" absolute blck, It is mainly of this variety

D4 : It is  Big Grained  and medium dark, Hard and suitable for all tombstone and Building application. economical.

2. Khammam Black:  Khamam is also located in the state of Andra pradesh and near to Warangal. This material is also fine grained and darker. But available only in smaller sizes. So This is better for tiling application,( 60X 30, 60X60 etc). raw materials are mainly of boulder type

3.Kanigiri Black : This place is located near Ongole, material is Dark and medium grained. suitable for tiles and smaller slabs for vanity. Not suitable for tombstone as it takes very poor polish.

4.Nalagonda Black:  Medium Grained, medium coloured Black. Near Hyderabad. Not many quarries are operating now.

5.Chamraj Nagar Black : Chamraj nagar Black is mostly famous for all absolute black slabs. There are three varieties available. This place is located in Chamrajnagar District in the state of Karnataka

1. Absolute Black : Even after applying Black resin, material is only medium Black and medium sized grain

2. Premium Black :Without applying Resin, looks like impala and after applying resin, materials becomes darker and fine grained.

3. Ultimate Black : Fine grained and darker even before applying Resin.

These blocks are not as hard as Warangal Black but there are about 25 quarries producing around 1000 CBM of blocks every month for local as well as for export consumption.

The material , which originates from places like Ponnachi and Kothalwadi are apprecaied for their finer grains and darker colours. nearly 80 % of the all dark black slabs are exported out of these black only

6. Krishnagiri Black : These are the Black grainte originates from the district of Krishnagiri in Tamilnadu. They widely differ on Grain pattern and colours. There are various places in this district and neighboring Dharmapuri district which produces plenty of medium colored Black granite , popularly called as K Black and absolute black.

a) Panchapalli : Popularly known as Super Black or PP4. This material is medium grained , dark colour. With Resin , they produce one of the finest polished slabs. many people use them for tombstones too

b) Puligonda: Look like Impala without resin. Grains are Bigger than PP4. But cheaper. Gold dots occur occasionaly.

\c) Pennagaram : Hard Black, medium colour and fine grain. Used for Japanese Tombstones

7) Mettur Black : This area black are smaller in size but are Darker in colour and finer in Grains. Very Expensive currently. Only Government owned quarries are successful

e) Vilupuram District : World Famous Kunnam Mines are located in this place only. Very dark and fine grained materials are quarried from places like Kunnam, Thiruvakarai and nearby areas.

f) Thiruvannamalai : There are few small quarries operating out of this district, which produces some fine black material .Mainly Tombstone blocks are produced.

I will try to post the pictures of slabs and blocks of the above varieties soon. I have posted below the pictures of K Black from Panchapalli (PP4) variety.

Since we are well versed with all types of above black granite , we will able to guide our customers to choose the best black granite for his application and budget.