Lapidus granite is a stunning stone that combines creams, golds, and browns to create a mesmerizing pattern. It is quarried in Espirito Santo, Brazil and is not commonly known by any other industry names.
It looks great as countertops and works well with a variety of different cabinet colors – let’s learn a little more about this stunning stone…
From afar Lapidus granite looks golden brown in color. Its appearance is not very uniform at all and it is possible to see that a variety of minerals are present – both lighter and darker than the bedrock itself.
As you come closer to the stone the first thing that strikes you is the vast range of shades of brown that are present. All of these shades of brown have been produced by the oxidation (rusting) of the iron that is naturally found in the stone. Over millions of years water has made its way through the rock causing the oxidisation and creating the overall golden color of the bedrock and the darker brown patches.
The bedrock of this granite is actually a very light grey, and its original color is still visible in patches of the stone. These patches are simply parts of the bedrock that have not been exposed to water, so the rusting did not have chance to occour. They add a lovely little bit of contrast against the overall golden color.
There are lots of very dark brown patches throughout the stone. These are usually in isolated spots instead of veins. This is where the iron content is particularly high and has therefore created a much darker color than the rest of the stone.
Winding their way through the dark brown patches and the grey bedrock are several different shades of brown, again caused by the oxidization of the iron – these patches just have less iron in them than the darker spots. They add a stunning and mesmerizing level of depth to the stone – creating a very interesting and distinctive pattern.
There is a medium amount of variation within different slabs of this stone. Some slabs can have quite a large amount of the unoxidised grey bedrock in them, and others can have nearly none. The amount of dark brown patches will also vary between slabs, resulting in some slabs looking darker and busier than others.
This granite does not vary very much in different lighting conditions and will work well in both light and dark rooms.
It is resistant to staining and is a very tough granite if you take care of it. Its swirling patterns and generally light color mean that it will not show up fingerprints or dirt easily and should require no more cleaning than any other type of countertop.
How Much Does Lapidus Granite Cost?
This is a mid-range granite. For a 3cm thick slab of Lapidus granite you will pay between $40 and $50 per square foot. A 2cm thick slab will cost you around $30-$35 per square foot.
The overall golden tone of this stone ensures that it works well with a variety of kitchen color schemes.
Lapidus granite countertops and white cabinets create a lovely natural feeling to your room. The white cabinets allow the countertops to take pride of place in the kitchen. Their golden color complements the white without creating too much of a contrast. This is thanks to the unoxidized grey bedrock and the less oxidized light cream patches. This also allows the dark patches to be prominent, yet not too loud.
Our personal favorite combination is using Lapidus countertops with medium stained or unstained cabinets. The overall golden color of the granite matches the browns of the cabinets and creates and almost “seamless” flow between cabinet and countertop. The overall effect is very warm and inviting, and certainly looks very luxurious.
Combining Lapidus countertops with dark cabinets creates the biggest contrast, however it is still quite subtle and not too stark. The dark brown spots ensure that they fit in with the rooms overall décor without looking too bold. They look clean, fresh, and warm.
Lapidus splashbacks are always recommended by us. For the minimal additional cost – they look awesome!
Unfortunately this granite is not really used that often in bathrooms. We think that this a darn shame! Its stunning colors can create a very regal and luxurious feel that would fit perfectly in the right type of bathroom.
A couple of other granites that look very similar to Lapdidus are Mascarello Granite and Solarius Granite – be sure to check them out!
Do you have any questions? Please leave a comment in the section below!