Granite Colours Guide: Black, Grey, White and Red Varieties for Floors and Worktops

Colour is the first thing a buyer notices in a granite slab. In fact, most buyers pick a colour long before they ask about thickness or finish. So, if you sell stone, knowing your granite colours well can help you close more sales.

This guide covers the four main colour groups: black, grey, white and red. For each one, you will see the popular varieties, how they look and where they work best. In addition, you will learn how the climate in Mauritius affects your colour choice. As a result, you can stock the right colours and guide your buyers with confidence.

Why Granite Comes in So Many Colours

Granite is a natural stone made from several minerals. The mix of these minerals decides the colour of each slab. For example, feldspar often gives pink, red or white tones. Quartz, on the other hand, adds grey or clear grains. Meanwhile, dark minerals such as mica and hornblende add black flecks.

Every quarry has its own mineral mix. That is why one quarry gives jet black stone, while another gives red stone with black spots. Also, colour can shift a little from one block to the next, even in the same quarry. So, always check real slabs before you confirm a large order.

Some stones sold as "black granite" are not true granite in the strict science sense. However, the stone trade uses the word granite for all hard, dense stones of this type. Therefore, this guide uses the same trade names your buyers know.

Granite Colours Comparison Table

The table below gives a quick view of each colour group. Use it as a starting point when a buyer asks for advice.

Black Granite Colours

Black granite is the best seller in most stone markets. It looks smart, it suits almost any design and it hardly ever goes out of style. Also, dark stone is often very dense, so it handles daily use well.

Absolute Black

Absolute Black is a deep, even black with almost no pattern. Once polished, it looks like a clean black mirror. Because of this, designers love it for modern kitchens and luxury lobbies. However, a polished surface shows dust and fingerprints quickly. So, buyers who want less cleaning often choose a honed or leather finish instead.

Black Galaxy

Black Galaxy has a black base with small gold and bronze flecks. Under kitchen lights, these flecks shine like stars. As a result, it is a popular choice for worktops, bar tops and feature walls. Also, the flecks help hide small crumbs and water spots.

Silky Black

Silky Black has a deep black base with a fine, even grain and a soft, silky shine. It looks rich but calm. In addition, its even colour makes it easy to match across large floors and long worktops. For this reason, many distributors keep it as a core black in their range.

Where black granite works best

• Kitchen worktops and islands
• Bar counters and reception desks
• Feature floors, borders and inlays
• Stairs inside homes and offices
• Wall cladding on columns and facades

One tip for outdoor use: black stone soaks up heat. So, in full sun, it can get too hot for bare feet. For this reason, keep black granite for shaded outdoor areas, steps and driveways.

Grey Granite Colours

Grey granite is the quiet worker of the stone trade. It looks clean and modern. More importantly, it hides dirt, dust and wear better than almost any other colour. That is why many builders and hotels choose grey for high traffic areas.

Steel Grey

Steel Grey is a dark grey stone with fine black and white grains. It has an even, steady pattern. Therefore, it is easy to match across large projects. It also works well in both polished and flamed finishes.

Light grey granites

Light grey granites have a pale grey base with small dark spots. They give a bright, airy feel to a room. In addition, light grey stone stays cooler in the sun. As a result, it is a strong choice for outdoor paving and pool surrounds when it has a flamed finish.

Dark grey granites

Dark grey granites sit between grey and black. They give a strong look without the high cleaning needs of pure black. For example, many buyers choose dark grey for kitchen worktops when they want a modern style that stays tidy.

Where grey granite works best

• Modern kitchen worktops
• Stairs and landings in busy buildings
• Shopping centre, office and hotel floors
• Outdoor paving, steps and kerbs
• Wall cladding on modern buildings

White Granite Colours

White granite brings light into a space. It makes small rooms feel bigger and brighter. Also, it pairs well with wood, black fittings and coloured cabinets. However, white stone needs a little more care than darker colours.

Kashmir White

Kashmir White has a soft white or light grey base. It often shows small dark red or burgundy spots, along with fine grey grains. As a result, it gives a gentle, natural look. It is a popular choice for kitchens, bathrooms and bright floors.

Colonial White

Colonial White has a white base with grey and black grains in a wavy pattern. It looks lively but still clean. For instance, many buyers choose it for kitchen worktops that sit next to white or light wood cabinets.

Care tips for white granite

White granite is often a little more porous than dark granite. So, oil, curry, coffee and red wine can leave marks if they sit too long. To avoid this, seal white granite after fitting. Then, reseal it when water stops beading on the surface. Also, wipe spills quickly, especially in the kitchen.

Where white granite works best

• Bathroom vanity tops and walls
• Small kitchens that need more light
• Bright living room and bedroom floors
• Hotel bathrooms and spa areas
• Feature walls next to dark stone

Red Granite Colours

Red granite adds warmth and energy to a space. It also has a strong, classic look that suits both old and new buildings. Moreover, red stone hides dust and small marks well. So, it is a smart choice for floors and outdoor areas.

Lakha Red

Lakha Red is a bright red granite with black grains spread across the surface. It has a bold, lively look. For this reason, it is popular for floors, steps and outdoor paving where buyers want a strong colour.

Imperial Red

Imperial Red has a red to pink base with black and grey grains. It looks a little softer than Lakha Red. In addition, it works well in both polished and flamed finishes. Therefore, it suits indoor floors and outdoor paving alike.

Where red granite works best

• Entrance steps and staircases
• Outdoor paving, kerbs and driveways
• Floors in public buildings and temples
• Wall cladding and boundary walls
• Borders and patterns with grey or black stone

Other Granite Colours Worth Knowing

Black, grey, white and red cover most of the market. However, buyers sometimes ask for other tones too. For example, brown granites give a warm, earthy look for kitchens. Similarly, gold and yellow granites add brightness to floors and worktops. Green and blue granites are rarer, but they can make a strong statement in luxury projects.

If a buyer wants a colour you do not stock, ask for the project details first. Then, check if a sample or a small order makes sense before you commit to a full bundle.

How to Pick the Right Granite Colour by Use

The right colour depends on where the stone will go. So, use the table below when a buyer is unsure.

How the Mauritius Climate Affects Colour Choice

Mauritius has strong sun, high humidity and salt air near the coast. These conditions matter when you choose a colour, especially outdoors.

• Heat: dark colours absorb more heat in direct sun. So, light grey and red stay more comfortable around pools and terraces.
• Glare: very white polished stone can cause glare in bright sun. Therefore, use a flamed or honed finish outdoors.
• Grip: wet polished stone is slippery. Instead, choose flamed or textured finishes for outdoor areas of any colour.
• Salt and humidity: granite resists both well. Still, a good sealer helps lighter colours stay clean near the sea.
• Colour stability: true granite holds its colour in the sun. In contrast, dyed stone can fade over time.

How Finish Changes Granite Colour

The same granite can look quite different in each finish. So, always show buyers the exact finish they will get.

• Polished: makes colours deeper and richer. Also, it shows the full pattern clearly.
• Honed: gives a softer, matte look. As a result, colours appear a little lighter.
• Leather: keeps colour depth but adds a soft texture. It also hides fingerprints well.
• Flamed: roughens the surface with heat. Because of this, colours turn lighter and more muted.

For example, flamed black granite often looks dark grey. Similarly, flamed red granite turns a softer, dusty red.

How to Check Colour Quality Before You Buy

Colour can vary from slab to slab. So, follow these simple steps before you accept a bundle.

1. Lay slabs side by side. Check that the colour and pattern flow evenly across the bundle.
2. Check under daylight. Shop lights can change how colour looks. Therefore, view slabs outside or near a window.
3. Look for patches. Large light or dark patches can make matching hard on big jobs.
4. Test for dye on black stone. Rub a hidden spot with a cloth and acetone. If black colour comes off, the stone may be dyed.
5. Keep the bundle number. Then, you can match the colour if the buyer orders more later.

How to Build a Smart Colour Range

You do not need every colour in stock. Instead, focus on the colours that sell fastest in your area.

1. Start with black and grey. These two groups sell steadily for kitchens, floors and stairs.
2. Add one or two whites. They serve bathrooms and bright homes.
3. Add one red. It covers steps, paving and traditional projects.
4. Stock two finishes. For example, keep polished for indoors and flamed for outdoors.
5. Order rare colours to project. This way, you avoid tying up cash in slow stock.

If your buyers also want softer looks, show them our marble range. For outdoor jobs, our sandstone range offers more warm tones. You can also browse the full stone collection.

Granite Colours FAQs