VERDE ALPI

Elegant Italian marble from the characteristic dark green color enhanced by veins tending to white, Verde Alpi (also called Verde Saint Denis) can be counted among the best sellers of Alberti & Alberti.

Verde Alpi, the elegance carved in stone: geological and geographical origin

Verde Alpi marble is a sedimentary rock with a compact structure, resistant and made particularly versatile by its colour and malleability, therefore suitable for all internal environments.

The origin’s area of this elegant natural stone is Valle D’Aosta: from the Italian Western Alps Verde Alpi takes both the characteristic the colour and the name.

From a geographical point of view Verde Alpi marble is part of the wide range of rocks classified as “green stones“, fragments of oceanic crust raised due to the collision between the tectonic plates of Africa and Europe, and the green stones presents this typical shine and elegance.

Green marbles are serpentine magmatic rocks with a brecciate structure, which have undergone metamorphic processes that have lasted thousands of years such as the cooling of magmas and the rearrangement of serpentine fragments.

In addition, they have a chemical deposition of calcite resulting from the waters rich in calcium bicarbonate present during their formation process, to which they owe the white component.

These stones are divided into basic (when the content of silica is between 45% and 52%) and ultrabasic (when it is less than 45%). 

Technical and aesthetic characteristics of Verde Alpi marble

The texture of Verde Alpi marble is characterized by a dark green background, with shades of lighter and darker shades, interwoven with white veins.

The veined structure with irregular distribution is the main feature of this marble and gives the material an elegant and distinctive appearance.

Verde Alpi marble is a compact stone with good technical characteristics that make it workable both manually and mechanically, with good resistance to mechanical stress and impact.

Here are the main technical characteristics of Verde Alpi marble:

type of test	Reference standard	unit	medium	dev.
Flexural strenght	UNI EN 12372	MPa	19,0	5,8
Flexural strenght after frost-thaw (48 c.)	UNI EN 12371	MPa	23,7	5,1
Wear resistance due to abrasion	Appendix C UNI EN 1341	mm	20,4
Water absorption at atmospheric	UNI EN 13755	% massa	0,6
Apparent density	UNI EN 1936	Kg/mc.	2639
Termal shock – mass change (20 cycles)	UNI EN 14066	%	-0,02

Main processes and finishes

The most used finish to enhance the chromatic beauty and the intense green hue of the Verde Alpi’s slabs is undoubtedly the polishing.

However, depending on the needs of the project, Verde Alpi marble lends itself well to other processes such as:

• The brushed finish, which ensures homogeneity and silky appearance of the stone surface.
• The honed finish, which ensures a matte appearance.

History and using areas: it is a valuable material for interiors, since ancient times

Verde Alpi marble has been appreciated and used as a valuable material since Roman times: this is witnessed by the many examples of churches, historic villas, buildings and noble palaces in which it was used for ornaments and decorations. Since ancient times it has been a point of reference in all cases where a green material was required.

Even today it is among the most sought-after green marbles and used for multiple types of application in interior environments, also thanks to the shades and the chromatic variety that recall the tones of nature. We find it mainly used in interior flooring, stairs and coverings, in both ancient and modern buildings.

The mining history of Verde Alpi has seen moments of great demand: in the second half of the twentieth century this dark green marble became highly sought after abroad, finding use in important projects in Germany, Russia, Japan, the United Arab Emirates and above all in the United States. In particular, the Las Vegas market appreciated Verde Alpi for decorative coverings in luxury hotels and casinos, helping to spread the international fame of this material.

Despite being a prestigious marble, the current availability of Verde Alpi is considered limited due to mining difficulties in the Alpine environment and the limited availability of deposits: this increases the exclusivity and value of batches of good quality material.

This material, thanks to its intense and decisive shade, together with its technical qualities, is also used in the creation of furnishing elements such as fireplaces, columns and capitals. The image above is an example of how Verde Alpi can be placed in a high-profile living room, giving a scenographic touch to the space.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions about Verde Alpi marble

1. In addition to internal environments, is Verde Alpi also suitable for external applications?
   Generally, Verde Alpi marble is used indoors, since the surface is resin-coated it could deteriorate over time.
2. In which finishes are the Alpine green slabs available?
   The main finishes available are polished, honed, brushed. Further finishes upon customer request are available after technical evaluation..
3. Can Verde Alpi marble also be used for bathroom tops and kitchen worktops?
   Yes, Alpi green can also be used for bathrooms and kitchens, in the process most suited to the type of setting

Alberti & Alberti has in stock a wide selection of slabs of Verde Alpi: check the availability in real time.

In addition, thanks to our own dedicated machines, we can create surfaces on request according to customer requirements.