Rare bitumous limestone , deep rich chocolate brown colour, many tonal variations and visible fossil remains, leathery patina .

This extraordinary material is quarried from an area where hard white limestone has, over the course of thousands of years, become impregnated with bitumen from underground oil beds.

First operating in the 17th century, the quarry was closed in the 1930’s and has only recently been re-opened. Bitter chocolate limestone has a deep chocolate colour containing many tonal variations and visible fossil remains. Once laid, it is given a final coat of oil and then sealed, resulting in a rich patina , almost like leather.

De Ferranti's signature Bitter Chocolate Limestone befits both traditional and contemporary interiors. Typically supplied in Tile, although Rare in large sizes, we are able to source Slab and block to carve basins and form architectural details such as staircases, friezes and cornicing.

For indoor use only, it is ideal for floors and wall cladding.