• STAR GALAXY & BLACK GALAXY GRANITE
• Quarry Location: Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, South India (approx. 350 km north of Chennai)

A hill of some 400 feet high in south India is the location for one of the world's most popular granites Star Galaxy. The technical geological name for this granite is Gabbric Anorthosite. The material has a hardness of around 6.5 on the Moh's scale which can be termed as moderately hard.

This is the ORIGINAL Galaxy quarry and was introduced more than 27 years ago, it has the densest black background and bright reflectors. We do not plunder the Star Galaxy quarry, we can produce some 500 cubic metres of blocks per month with extremely good reserves for future projects and consumer demand.

There are about 50 Galaxy quarries however not all of them are producing 12 months of the year. Estimates suggest that in excess of one million cubic metres of Galaxy has been quarried since extraction started with probably about 8.6 million cubic metres of reserves. Rough blocks are taken to Surareddypalem railway station, 35 km away, and then to Chennai port for export to many countries.

Approximately 12,500 people are directly employed locally in about 500 processing units from where much of their production is sold to the local market. Further estimates suggest that 90% of all Galaxy blocks are exported as raw block with China taking about 70% of all blocks and 95% of the small blocks.

It is important to note that the volume of blocks produced could not supply all the dealers who purport to sell this material which, in fact, they do not, many are supplying a similar material known as Black Galaxy from the surrounding district. Black Galaxy quarries are generally at ground level with several being up to 150 feet below ground level.

Star Galaxy granite is one of the world's most popular granite choices however this very success is now creating a problem, consequently, and it does not matter whether you are a trade or retail buyer, it is important to understand the fundamental differences between the various qualities you may be offered.

The gold specks are due to the presence of ferrous rich Enstatine (Bronzite). Star/Black Galaxy can be broadly divided into three types based on the size of the gold coloured specks as:

• 1. Large grained Black Galaxy
• 2. Medium grained Star Galaxy - Our supply
• 3. Small grained Star Galaxy - Our supply
• STAR GALAXY, BLACK & WHITE LINE VEINS

Our grading standard for Star Galaxy is as follows:

• 1. Black Galaxy Q1 : Slabs and tiles clean of any visible veining
• 2. Black Galaxy Q2 : Slabs and tiles with one or two visible veins
• 3. Black Galaxy Q3 : Slabs and tiles two or more visible veins

Non-acceptance of these conditions will mean we cannot supply.

It must be stated that the vein lines do not affect the integrity of the material. They are natural hence they cannot be removed. Images of Star Galaxy with lines.

• STARBURST GALAXY : Star Galaxy With Clouds

We have a very small, unique & limited production of Starburst Galaxy slabs. Because of the limited availability this is not suitable for large project work however for small projects or domestic usage please learn more here.

• SURFACE PITTING

All Galaxy materials have natural surface pitting owing to its petrographical composition and even after resining of the material small pits and natural fissures may be evident. It is generally accepted that the the deeper in the quarry the blocks are extracted, say 10-20 metres below ground level, that more pitting is found to exist in the blocks. Generally those quarries above ground level, 50-70 metres, have less pitting in the processed slabs.

This is a totally natural occurence and if one's preference is for an absolutely perfectly smooth, gloss finish with no natually evident features, then selection of this material is not recommended.

Taking all the above information into account, it is clear that for large contracts a considerable saving may be made by using pre-dimensioned materials with an acceptable colour and variable veining.

As with all natural materials it is very important to view Star Galaxy & Black Galaxy before buying and not to buy on price alone.

All materials inspected and approved by ourselves - you are not buying BLIND!

To learn more about general rock composition and mineralogy please click here.

As always "Caveat Emptor - Buyer Beware!"