Monte Rosa

Über Monte Rosa

Monte Rosa (trade name: Serizzo Monte Rosa, Serizzo Ghiandonato, Beola Ghiandonata Grande Fiore, Silver Waves Granite, Monterosa Granite) is a medium- to coarse-grained gneiss of Paleozoic metamorphic origin quarried in the Ossola Valley, specifically around Antronapiana and Villadossola in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. The stone belongs to the Serizzo gneiss family, commercially marketed as a 'granite' in the international stone trade. It presents a grey to silver-grey ground with black mica streaks and white feldspar/quartz domains giving a distinctive foliated, slightly banded appearance. Technical data from DNSA (Stein 605): density 2657 kg/m³, compressive strength 169.4 MPa, frost compressive 161.8 MPa, flexural strength 12.1 MPa, water absorption 0.305%, thermal expansion 0.61 mm/m/100K, abrasion resistance 0.76 (Italian norm). The stone is acid-resistant, frost-resistant, and the polished finish is outdoor-durable. Widely used for exterior paving, steps, cladding, kerbs, and monumental applications, as well as interior flooring and countertops.