Rosa Aurora Claro is a prestigious Portuguese marble quarried in the Estremoz Anticline, particularly around Vila Viçosa, Estremoz, and Borba in the Évora District, Alentejo region of Portugal. This area is globally recognized for its high-quality ornamental marbles.

Appearance, Texture & Pattern

Color: Predominantly white to light cream, often with soft pink to light brownish veins.

Texture: Fine to medium-grained, compact crystalline structure.

Pattern: Subtle, cloudy background with flowing brown, beige, or sometimes light gray veins. Patterns vary by block, offering a calm, elegant look suitable for both classic and contemporary spaces.

Aesthetic Family: Similar to other Estremoz marbles but distinguished by its soft, warm elegance and cleaner base.

Technical Specifications

• Density: ~2,720 kg/m³
• Water Absorption: 0.06 – 0.10% by weight
• Flexural Strength: ~124 kg/cm² (≈12.2 MPa)
• Compressive Strength: 870 – 950 kg/cm² (≈85.3 – 93.2 MPa)
• Abrasion Resistance: Moderate – suitable for medium-traffic floors
• Hardness (Mohs): ~3 – 4 (typical for calcitic marbles)

Chemical Composition (% by weight – typical for calcitic marbles)

• CaCO₃ (Calcium Carbonate): 95–98%
• MgCO₃ (Magnesium Carbonate): <1.5%
• SiO₂ (Silica): <1%
• Fe₂O₃ (Iron Oxide): ~0.1–0.5%
• Al₂O₃ (Aluminum Oxide): ~0.1–0.5%
• Others: Trace elements

Usage & Applications

Rosa Aurora Claro Marble is highly valued for its elegance and is commonly used in:

• Interior flooring (residential and commercial)
• Bathroom vanities & wall cladding
• Kitchen countertops (with proper sealing)
• Staircases
• Fireplace surrounds
• Furniture tops
• Interior columns & decorative panels
• It is less suitable for heavy-traffic outdoor use or freeze-thaw environments due to its calcite composition and porosity.

Maintenance

Sealing: Recommended before and after installation to protect against stains and moisture.

Cleaning: Use pH-neutral stone cleaners; avoid acidic or abrasive products.

Repairs & Polishing: Surface can be re-polished over time to maintain shine.

Standard Cutting Sizes (cm)

Tiles:

• 30 × 30 × 1 or 2 cm
• 60 × 30 × 2 cm
• 60 × 60 × 2 cm

Slabs:

• Thickness: 2 cm or 3 cm (most common)
• Custom sizes on request depending on block availability.

Surface Finishes

• Rosa Aurora Claro accepts multiple finishes due to its compact structure:
• Polished – Highlights color and veining; most common for interiors.
• Honed – Smooth, matte surface; suitable for contemporary interiors.
• Brushed / Antique – Textured finish for a rustic look.
• Sandblasted – Subtle matte texture; often used for wall cladding.
• Tumbled – For aged or antiqued effects, typically in smaller tiles.

Notable Projects & Export

Rosa Aurora Claro is widely used in high-end residential, hotel, and public building interiors across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It is part of Portugal’s renowned natural stone export portfolio, alongside Estremoz White and Rosa Portugués.

PHISICAL-MECHANICAL PROPERTIES 

Compression Breaking Load: 870 Kg/cm²
Compression B.L. after Freezing Test: 950 Kg/cm²
Bending Strength: 124 Kg/cm²
Volumetric Weigth: 2720 Kg/m³
Water Absorption: 0,1 %
Apparent Porosity: 0,2 %
Thermal Linear Expansion Coefficient: 7,3 10^6 per C^o
Abrasion Test: 3,7 mm
Impact Test: 50 cm
Freeze-Defreeze cycles (no alteration after): 25 cycles

MICROSCOPIC PROPERTIES 

Calcite: ~ 99 %

Quartz: < 1 %

CHEMICAL ANALYSIS 

• Al₂O₃: 0,56%
• CaO: 54,37%
• Fe₂O₃: 0,12%
• K₂O: 0,15%
• MgO: 0,62%
• Na₂O: 0,05%
• P.R.: 43,15%
• SiO₂: 0,89%
• CO₂: 43,35%