Petrographic description
Onsernone is a Granite quarried in Switzerland, catalogued in the Marmi di Carrara atlas under the international reference ICCHGR00050. Its dominant tone is grey.
Like every granite, 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: polished, honed, flamed, bush-hammered, leathered. Typical applications: kitchen worktops, exterior cladding and paving, stairs, monuments, high-traffic floors.
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.
Onsernone Gneiss: complete guide
Overview
Onsernone Gneiss is a dark grey stone from Ticino, fine and compact. It is chosen for its understated colour and great strength, outdoors too.
History and origin
It takes its name from the Onsernone Valley, in the canton of Ticino, an Alpine territory where stone has always been part of local architecture. Ticino gneisses are used for floors, steps, paving and cladding, in both historic buildings and modern projects. Onsernone stands out for its darker tone compared with other gneisses from the region. Marmi di Carrara supplies it on request.
Appearance
The background is dark grey, with dense mica and thin lighter bands of quartz and feldspar. The pattern is fine and slightly oriented, with differences depending on the cutting direction. Honed, it has a deep, even grey; flamed, it becomes lighter and more textured.
Uses
Suitable for indoor and outdoor floors, stairs, façade cladding, kitchen worktops and bathroom vanity tops. Its dark tone hides dirt well in high-traffic areas. In small, dimly lit spaces it is best balanced with light walls.
Care and maintenance
Clean with a neutral detergent. A stain-proofing protector is recommended on worktops, especially with honed finishes. Outdoors, periodic washing with water is enough.
- Classification
- metamorphic rock (gneiss)
- Density
- approx. 2,700 kg/m³ (indicative)
- Mohs hardness
- approx. 6-7
- Water absorption
- low
- Main use
- indoor and outdoor
- Acid resistance
- good
FAQ
Is Onsernone suitable for outdoor use?
Granite: excellent for façades, paving and stairs in any climate. Tell us the climate and exposure of the project and we will recommend the right finish and thickness.
What is the price of Onsernone per m²?
Indicative price from €85/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 Onsernone 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.
