Patagonia is a rare Brazilian semi-precious granite made of various natural materials that have been pressed together by natural forces.
This magnificent pegmatite from our warehouse was donated to the University of Padua on the occasion of its eight hundredths anniversary at the opening of the Museum of Nature and Human in June 2023.
Origin of granite Patagonia
This granite from the quarries of Brazil is also called Pegmatite and was essentially a fusion of white quartz and beige granite - feldspar.
It is a stone of volcanic origin that belongs to the intrusive rocks.
This material was formed by magma, which slowly rose to the surface, gradually cooled and, when crystallized, absorbed the different materials, giving rise to the formation of the complex and characteristic surface of the granite Patagonia.
The semi-precious stone consists of bright colours and has two contrasting elements: quartz, the icy and immovable element, and granite with liquid that changes and creates movement.
The surface is characterized by a very coarse crystalline grain with centimetre-long crystals.
In the above-mentioned Museum of Nature and Human, a section is dedicated to pegmatites, a type of rock that also includes our exhibited Patagonia slab, which contains an infinite number of minerals and gemstones.
The inner section is characterized by the increase of crystalline grains, in which further minerals are present, sometimes in groups that allow their extraction (muscovite and beryl, so-called useful metal minerals).
Useful metal ores are concentrated in the third section of pegmatites, where the size of crystalline grains is even larger, but sometimes this area is missing: uranium, thorium, lithium, caesium, niobium, and tantalum minerals are found here.
However, the core of many pegmatites is only made of quartz crystals, which are sometimes associated with orthoclase but do not contain any additional minerals. (Wikipedia)
Some minerals contained in pegmatites (Museo della Natura e Dell’Uomo, Padua)
The large dimensions of pegmatite crystals were probably caused by the low viscosity of the silicate liquid from which the minerals were formed (with many volatile components) and by the continuous renewal of this liquid.
Characteristics of granite Patagonia
The granite slabs Patagonia have extraordinary entanglements of shapes and colours: white, black, beige, and brown alternate with parts of translucent, grey quartz, interspersed with golden veins.
Just because of these colour entanglements, the granite looks best when used in large formats, which highlight its spectacular appearance in the whole.
As with all translucent materials, the surface is best emphasized by polishing.
If a matt surface is needed for furnishing, it can be honed or when a silky shimmer is wanted it can be satined.
The granite Patagonia can also be backlighted. In this application, only the quartz zones glow, creating a sensational partial lighting effect.
Use of granite Patagonia in design
Due to its properties, the granite Patagonia is an ideal furnishing element and can be combined with both modern and classic design.
The granite looks almost like a painting depicting contrasting elements such as earth/granite and sky/quartz.
This elegant material easily adapts to all settings characterized by solid colours or strong contrasts.
The granite Patagonia is known for its amazing variety of colours and unique texture, so it is a marvellous building material and a true artwork of nature, too.
Patagonia is a versatile material for designers and architects due to its wide range of applications.
This granite has a strong visual intensity thanks to its light tones, its crystals, and minerals that sparkle in the light; therefore, Patagonia is an eye-catcher in any setting.
In indoor spaces, e.g. in a modern kitchen, a countertop of Patagonia will withstand the inevitable daily stress such as heat and scratches. Thanks to its characteristics, Patagonia adds luxury and sophistication to any room.
In exclusive bathrooms, this granite can be installed as a vanity top, as wall covering or even as floor tiles, contributing to the creation of a luxurious and welcoming setting. Patagonia adapts well to the humid environment of bathrooms thanks to its moisture resistance and ease of maintenance, while maintaining its beauty and functionality over time.
Therefore, we can say that Patagonia is suitable for these areas of application in interior design:
- as countertops and islands in luxury kitchens
- as vanity tops and cladding in exclusive bathrooms
- as tiles in indoor spaces
- as fireplace cladding
Thanks to its glossy surface with sparkling details and its colour composition, Patagonia is an impressive furnishing element.
In addition, Patagonia is a very resistant and durable granite, and extremely practical because it does not require much maintenance.
Thanks to its bright appearance and robust structure, Patagonia turns out to be a long-term investment in design, while adding meaning and character to any design project.
Patagonia slab
Patagonia detail
Check granite Patagonia in our materials catalogue.