Black Aswan Granite
Black Aswan, or Nero Aswan, is a dense dark grey to near-black granite from the Aswan area, where it was used in antiquity alongside the famous red. Geologically a granodiorite-type stone, this Egyptian granite is chosen for luxury flooring, stairs, countertops, facades and monumental work, in polished, honed or flamed finishes.
- Also known as
- Nero Aswan
- Origin
- Aswan, Upper Egypt
- Colour
- Dark grey to near black with fine white or pink crystals
- Applications
- Premium countertops and vanities, Luxury flooring and lobbies, Stairs, Exterior cladding and facades, Monuments and memorials
- Sand Blasted
- Split Face
- Rough
- Leather
- Honed
- Flamed
- Bush Hammered
- Brushed
- Antique
About Black Aswan
Black Aswan, or Nero Aswan, is geologically a granodiorite rather than a true granite, medium to coarse grained and often porphyritic with scattered white or pink feldspar crystals; it grades into the red Aswan granite in the same quarries. The ancient Egyptians quarried it alongside the red from the Early Dynastic period, and it was chosen for key architectural features of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Polished it is a mirror-like near-black; honed it reads charcoal; flamed or leathered faces are used outdoors. Blocks are sorted for uniformity, but a few white or pink crystals are normal. Contact us for available sizes and finishes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Black Aswan a true granite?
Strictly it is a granodiorite, a closely related igneous rock, which the trade sells as black granite. It shares granite's hardness, density and low absorption, so it is specified and finished exactly like granite.
Is Black Aswan suitable for kitchen countertops?
Yes. It is dense, heat resistant and takes a high polish, and is one of the most common Egyptian choices for premium kitchens and vanities. Seal it for stain resistance; the dark field hides wear well.
Does Black Aswan have pink or white spots?
Yes. Occasional white or pinkish feldspar crystals are a natural feature of the Aswan deposit, where black and red granite grade into each other. Blocks are sorted for a near-uniform black, but some crystal flecking is normal.
