Blue Bahia granite is a stone that is legendary for its beauty. It is possibly the bluest granite on the market, and it is in very high demand. It is quarried in central Brazil and is occasionally called Azul Bahia granite.
Its stunning blue colors can be a little hard to incorporate into a kitchen (but can also look stunning). Let’s learn a little more about blue bahia and see if it is right for your home.
When viewed from afar the main color of this stone is an overall stunning blue. From a distance you are able to make out that there are varying shades of blue – and depending upon the specific slab, you may also be able to see patches of white.
As you get closer to the stone it becomes apparent that the color of the stones bedrock is a dazzling pure bright white. However on most slabs it does not make up a very large percentage of the stones overall mass due to the large amount blue mineral deposits.
The stunning blue bahia countertops are accented by the pale blue tiles on the wall.
The blue minerals that make up this stones beauty are found in incredibly high quantities. On average anywhere from between 70% to 90% of the stones overall mass will be this stunning blue mineral.
The blues come in a variety of colors and shades. Ranging from light sky blue thorough to a very dark navy blue. The lighter blues are the most common shade of blue in the stone and will generally make up the bulk of the stones color. The darker patches are in fact the exact same mineral that give this stone its overall light azure color – just in a higher level of concentration.
Again using blue fixtures and fittings (the lights) ties this room together.
This multi tone effect is quite stunning. The light blues effortlessly complement and contrast against the dark blues giving a very deep and natural feel to the stone.
The blue minerals can be found in a variety of patterns, mainly they will be quite opaque and cover the white bedrock completely. However in some sections the blue minerals can be found in tiny specks or dots which gives the effect of the blue blending into the white bedrock in places – a real treat!
Dotted around the stone there are also small dark black mineral deposits. These are much less frequent than the blue minerals, and on average will make up less than 5% of the stones overall mass.
A stunning bright white kitchen with blue bahia granite countertops
There are also patches of light brown minerals. These can make up around 10% of the stones overall mass. They are usually so light in color that they are not really visible from afar unless they are in particularly large patches.
Many people want to find slabs of blue bahia that have the least amount of brown and blue in them – we think this is the wrong approach. In our opinion they almost ground the blue color slightly.
As this is obviously a very bold stone, without the occasional speckle of black or patch of brown – it could be a little bit too wild to incorporate into a kitchen without looking too loud!
There is a medium level of variation within slabs of blue bahia granite. The amount and density of the blue minerals are the main variant. The natural geological processes that formed this stone over millions of years mean that some sections of the quarry will have lots more of the blue mineral (which means high concentrations and darker slabs), and others will have lower amounts (which means lighter blues and more white bedrock showing through).
The decor of this kitchen has clearly been designed around the countertops. This is a great way to ensure they do not look too out of place with your decor.
How much Does Blue Bahia Granite Cost?
Blue bahia granite is unique in its appreacne, and is in VERY high demand. And demand massively outstrips supply which makes this granite one of the most expensive on the market. For a 3cm thick slab of blue bahia granite you will pay around $90 to $100 per square foot. It is not generally available in 2cm thick slabs.
Now while this is a very expensive stone – it is also one of incredible beauty. It undoubtedly is best used for kitchen countertops and backsplashes. Although it can work very well in the bathroom too.
simply stunning!
The most popular usage of this granite is blue bahia countertops with white kitchen cabinets. The stunning colors are really allowed to shine by the light color cabinets. You certainly get the most “blue for your buck” this way.
When combined with natural wood stained cabinets we personally feel the colors clash slightly and better options are available (especially when considering the price of blue bahia). The same can be said about dark kitchen cabinets, while they do not clash with the blue like the brown of the wood – they certainly do not allow the stone to shine like white cabinets.
These cabinets are about as light as you can go with this granite before you start getting the colors conflicting with each other (in our humble opinion!)
However don’t let this put you off – its your kitchen, make it one you love!
