For the third consecutive year, Centrorochas -- Brazilian Center of Natural Stones Exporters -- in partnership with ApexBrasil -- Brazilian Trade & Investment Promotion Agency -- hosted three journalists and one influencer from the U.S., Turkey and Lebanon, two designers from the Netherlands and several buyers from across the globe for the “It’s Natural—Brazilian Natural Stone” program to promote stone exports and learn about the Brazilian stone industry. 

In addition to visiting various manufacturers, distributors, showrooms and quarries, the group attended the Cachoeiro Stone Fair. Celebrating its 35th year, the Cachoeiro Stone Fair hosted approximately 18,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors, representing five countries -- Brazil, China, Spain, Italy and Turkey. 

According to Flávia Milaneze, CEO of Milanez & Milaneze, the organizing company of the Cachoeiro Stone Fair, “This addition is bigger than last year. I had the opportunity to talk with some exhibitors, and they are very happy.” 

The show floor was filled with stone suppliers who were eager to answer questions regarding products, business and industry challenges. 

“Even though the stone industry is old, the Brazilian stone industry is [only] 50 to 60 years old,” said Fabio Cruz, vice president, Centrorochas. “That's why you see so many business owners and people who are so friendly with each other because we're all overcoming the challenges together. There are several small to mid-sized companies trying to help each other overcome the challenges we share.” 

Brazil Natural Stone Sector Update

Brazil is the fourth largest global producer of stone and the fifth-largest global exporter, according to reports by Centrorochas. It is the largest exporter of natural stones to the U.S., responsible for 24.7% of imported materials. It also boasts the largest geological diversity in the world with over 1,200 material varieties. Quartzite remains the most sought-after stone, and Brazil is the largest supplier of quartzite.

In 2023, the Brazilian natural stone sector exported $1.11 billion, a 13.4% decrease compared to 2022’s $1.28 billion, according to Centrocohas. The U.S. accounts for 54.7% of Brazil’s export market. The top three exporting Brazilian states are: 1) Espírito Santo at 83.1%; 2) Minas Gerais at 9.2%; and 3) Ceará at 3.5%. 

Espírito Santo accounted for 82.24% of the total value of natural stones exported by Brazil in 2023, shipping to 115 countries. There are 1,900 companies that make up the stone, lime, and limestone production chain and approximately 200 mining fronts, according to Centrorochas. 

Centrorochas reports that for the first half of 2024, Brazil exported $601.7 million in natural stones with the U.S. spending $342.3 million -- an increase of 14.75% compared to 2023. In July 2024, exports were up by 7.35% compared to 2023 with a total of $124.8 million. That brings the year-to-date total to $726.5 million -- an increase of 8.37%. The U.S. remains in first place; China is second; Italy in third; Mexico is fourth; and the U.K. is fifth. 

Natural Stone Suppliers

Decolores is one of the largest exporters in Brazil with 70% of its stone going to the U.S. Bronzite, made of iron and quartz, and Mont Blanc, a milky-white quartzite, are top sellers in the U.S. market, according to Abiliane Andrade, product expert, Decolores. 

Andrade pointed to two others that are indeed popular and certainly eye-catching. Mystic Blue, a grayish-blue quartzite with gold veining, and Infinity Grey, a quartzite formed by sand layers encapsulating pebbles trapped in a riverbed. 

Decolores offers visitors the opportunity to explore its Geological Immersion Room where they can see and experience the formation of the stones that they now mine. 

“We have eight different materials; the travertine is Mexican and all of those are Brazilian materials and here you can see how nature created those environments to form those materials,” said Thais Aiolfi, geologist, during her tour of the Immersion Room. 

Mystic Blue Quartzite

Infinity Grey Quartzite

Magban is owned by Tales Machado, president of Centrorochas. The manufacturer sells both blocks and slabs in marble, granite, quartzite and shale from its own quarries. The company’s Blue Velvet quartzite boasts a rainbow of colors -- emerald green, rust brown, rich black and pops of white. 

The Magblanc quartzite possesses a milky-white palette with thin gray veining -- something characteristic of an American market. 

Blue Velvet quartzite

Santo Antonio is a multi-generational business that started as a mining company. Arthur Scaramussa, sales executive, is third generation. He provided a tour of the facility, pointing out that approximately 80% of the company’s 3cm slabs go to the U.S. market. 

While quartzite is a large part of its business, dolomite was offered in some interesting colors. The Michelangelo collection was available in four colors: a creamy white with gray veining, a deep rusty red with white, a rich gray with white and a black that was nearly devoid of veining. 

Additionally, bookmatched white and black stones were on display, showcasing what is possible when it comes to design. 

Santo Antonio Showroom

Michelangelo quartzite

Amagran is a distributor that exports 60% of its natural stone to the U.S. The color options were endless with polished, leather and honed finishes available across a wide selection of stones. Additionally, the company stored all of its 2cm slabs in one space and its 3cm slabs in another, simplifying the shopping experience. 

There were two stone slabs that stood out. Magma and Maori were stunning with their visible layers of black, white, brown and gold. 

Amagran Magma quartzite

Amagran Magma quartzite

Quartzblue started as a mining company, sourcing a blue quartzite that no longer exists. It currently produces approximately 200 slabs per day which equates to 25 slabs per hour. The company mines from its own quarries with 80% of its slabs sourced from quartzite. It sells 70% of its slabs to the U.S. 

Quartzblue Azul Calafate quartzite

Quartzblue Azul Calafate slab inspection

Capital Granites & Marbles is owned by sisters Moema Lessa and Narjara Lessa who have been in business for 20 years. They specialize in curated collections of high-end natural stones which can be viewed in their beautiful showroom where clients can not only view the selections, but also see them applied to furniture, the floor and the walls. 

Something new that they are doing to their slabs is adding a mesh backing with 50% more resin applied. This ensures that the slab is reinforced, but what is different is that it is barely visible unlike traditional mesh backings. 

There were several stones that stood out, but most notable were the green slabs. One intertwined a variety of earth tones with its rich emerald, and the other was a blend of the emerald and a white crystal with dark brown veining. 

Capital Granites & Marbles specializes in curated collections of high-end natural stones.

Owners Moema Lessa and Narjara Lessa

Collodetti displayed their new emerald green slabs for viewing and walked everyone through its manufacturing facility, highlighting the cutting process. Another family-owned business, Collodetti specializes in quartzite, marble and granite. The size of the saws used in the cutting process is unfathomable. The group was allowed to observe the saws and even got the opportunity to see them start the cutting process. 

According to Marcelo Colodetti, communication manager, prior to the purchase of new cutting machines, it took approximately 30 to 50 hours to cut one block, depending on the stone type. The stones the group observed being cut were estimated to take about nine hours to cut all the way through. 

The group enjoyed a visit to Collodetti’s manufacturing facility.

Collodetti displayed their stunning emerald green slabs.

Pedra do Frade’s new Natura stone is composed of green quartzite and white quartz, fuchsite and emerald slag. It is mined less than a mile from an emerald mine which explains its rich green color. The stone was located two years ago in June with the first block mined in December. Normally, the first block is discarded due to impurities or imperfections, however, Pedra do Frade was able to utilize the first block from this stone. 

Natura undergoes three applications of coating after it is cut. Then, the cracks are filled with the crushed stone to prep for polishing to prevent the polishing machine from hanging up on the edges of the cracks. These steps are performed by hand to ensure quality. Mesh backing is then applied to slabs with cracks or those that are more delicate. 

The rich black slabs with white veining are their most popular stone with the majority going to the U.S. 

Natura stone collection

Black slabs with white veining

CS3 owns one large quarry that contains a wide variety of stones. There is everything from black and white to rust orange to dye-injected blue. Additionally, the company sources synthetic stones from China and processes the blocks in its facility in Brazil. The company sells granite, quartzite and marble with 60% of its business going to the U.S. 

The group enjoyed touring CS3 slab area.

Maldive Rusty Orange