DIFFERENT ABSOLUTE BLACK GRANITE

　　The first common misunderstanding is that of all Absolute Blacks being the same material. They are not and they can vary widely in colour, quality and price! The original Absolute Black, also known as Sutareboda, is the name for a Swedish black granite which has been quarried for many years.

  

 

black granite

　　Probably the most famous Swedish black granite is Ebony Black. It is very hard and durable, takes a beautiful polish and has an almost metallic "ringing" tone when struck with a hammer and chisel. It is also very expensive.

　　Depending from which quarry it originates it is known as Hallandia AKF No 1, AKF No 25, EGC Black Fined Granied, EGC Black and SS1. We would like to list these correctly therefore please advise if you do know the full details but we do know of the following diabase quarries BRNNHULT, DUVHULT, GYLSBODA and HGGHULT.

　　In 1962, Belfast Black from South Africa was first exported and shortly afterwards the trade in Italy started calling this granite Nero Assoluto, the literal translation being Black Absolute. Alternative names have been South African Ebony, South African Black and Prairie. Some of the Southern African granites can actually have a "rice-grained" effect similar to the Canadian Cambrian Black, and the less black qualities also a silver star reflector.

　　Since the 1960's, Nero Assoluto has become the generic name for many black granites supplied from Italy including Angola, China, India, South Africa, Zimbabwe and many other countries, therefore unless one is specific the granite could actually be from anywhere!