Petrographic description
Pierre Bleue DE Soignies is a Limestone quarried in Belgium, catalogued in the Marmi di Carrara atlas under the international reference ICBELS00164. Its dominant tone is grey.
Like every limestone, 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, brushed, sandblasted, bush-hammered, split-face. Typical applications: interior and exterior floors, façades, pool surrounds, garden design, carved elements.
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.
Petit Granit: complete guide
Overview
Petit Granit is Belgium's famous bluestone, a dark limestone rich in fossils despite its name. It is chosen for its robustness and its blue-grey colour, which darkens almost to black when polished.
History and origin
It comes from Belgium, particularly Wallonia, where it is also known as bluestone. It is a limestone made up of fragments of marine organisms, mainly crinoids, whose granular appearance suggested the trade name 'little granite'. For centuries it has been one of the most widely used materials in Belgian and Northern European architecture. Marmi di Carrara supplies it on request.
Appearance
The background is dark blue-grey speckled with light fossil fragments and small white veins. Slabs vary in fossil density and the presence of veins. Polished, it becomes almost black and brilliant; honed, it is blue-grey, while bush-hammered or flamed it lightens towards grey.
Uses
Widely used for floors, stairs, thresholds, window sills, façades and outdoor paving, even in cold climates. In the kitchen it is possible, but you should bear in mind that acids and citrus fruit leave light marks.
Care and maintenance
Clean with neutral products and treat with a stain-proofing product; outdoors a water repellent limits dirt and moss. Avoid anti-limescale and acidic products.
- Classification
- crinoidal limestone (not a granite)
- Density
- approx. 2,700 kg/m³ (indicative)
- Mohs hardness
- approx. 3-4
- Water absorption
- low
- Main use
- indoor and outdoor
- Acid resistance
- low: acids leave light marks
FAQ
Is Pierre Bleue DE Soignies suitable for outdoor use?
Limestone: suitable for façades and paving in temperate climates with a honed, brushed or bush-hammered finish. Tell us the climate and exposure of the project and we will recommend the right finish and thickness.
What is the price of Pierre Bleue DE Soignies per m²?
Indicative price from €95/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 Pierre Bleue DE Soignies 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.
