Castione Dunkel is a refined Swiss sandstone known for its elegant grey tones and uniform structure. Originating from the quarries of Switzerland, this material offers a sophisticated aesthetic ideal for both interior and exterior applications. The stone presents a consistent dark grey hue with a subtle, fine grain that enhances its natural beauty without aggressive veining, making it versatile for modern and classic designs alike. Its durability and resistance make it suitable for flooring, wall cladding, and wet areas. Available finishes include honed, flamed, and brushed surfaces to suit various design needs. Marmi di Carrara supplies Castione Dunkel in blocks and slabs (2/3 cm), offering cut-to-size solutions with the guarantee of photos of actual slabs before purchase. Explore the natural elegance of this premium Swiss sandstone today.
Petrographic description
This sandstone is characterized by a fine-grained texture and consistent mineral composition, typical of Swiss sedimentary deposits.
Castione Dunkel is a Sandstone quarried in Switzerland, catalogued in the Marmi di Carrara atlas under the international reference ICCHSA00155. Its dominant tone is grey.
Like every sandstone, it is supplied as raw blocks, gangsaw slabs in 2 and 3 cm and cut-to-size pieces made in our Carrara plants. Recommended finishes: honed, sawn, sandblasted, bush-hammered, split-face. Typical applications: exterior paving, façades, garden walls, rustic interiors.
Availability varies with the quarry campaigns: before quoting we check current stock, block sizes and the selection grade, and we send photos of the actual slabs. Price and transport are confirmed by our technical office within one working day.
Castione Scuro Gneiss: complete guide
Overview
Castione Scuro Gneiss is a dark grey stone from Ticino, compact and very hard-wearing. It is chosen when a deep-toned Alpine material is wanted for floors, stairs and façades.
History and origin
It comes from the canton of Ticino, in Switzerland, a region where gneisses have always been the traditional building stone for houses, walls, roofs and paving. The dark variety stands out for its more intense colour compared with the more common grey gneisses. Today it is used in contemporary architecture both indoors and outdoors. Marmi di Carrara supplies it on request.
Appearance
The background is dark grey, with dense black and silvery micas and thin light bands of quartz and feldspar. The linear pattern is more evident in vein-cut slabs and more speckled when cross-cut. Polished or honed, it becomes deep and almost anthracite; flamed or brushed, it lightens slightly and gains grip.
Uses
Suitable for floors, stairs, thresholds, cladding, kitchen and bathroom worktops, outdoor paving and street furniture. Its dark tone is ideal for contrasts with light walls and for interiors with character.
Care and maintenance
Clean with water and neutral detergents; on polished surfaces avoid waxy products that leave marks. A stain-proofing product is recommended on kitchen worktops to protect against oils and grease.
- Classification
- gneiss (metamorphic rock)
- Density
- approx. 2,700 kg/m³ (indicative)
- Mohs hardness
- approx. 6-7
- Water absorption
- very low
- Main use
- indoor and outdoor
- Acid resistance
- good; withstands frost well
FAQ
Is Castione Dunkel suitable for outdoor use?
Sandstone: a classic outdoor stone for paving and walls. Tell us the climate and exposure of the project and we will recommend the right finish and thickness.
What is the price of Castione Dunkel per m²?
Indicative price from €110/m² for polished 2 cm slabs ex works Carrara, VAT excluded. The final figure depends on selection, block size, finish and quantity; a personalised quote is free.
How is Castione Dunkel shipped from Italy?
Slabs travel in wooden A-frames inside 20-foot containers (about 25 tonnes); blocks ship loose or in open-top containers. We quote FOB, CIF or door-to-door to any port or site.
