Norwegians wooed: What is Lundhs stone and why is it so popular?

Isn’t it good, Norwegian wood? Paul McCartney certainly thought so, but we’re not here to talk about anything porous or fibrous. You see, it turns out that Norway is also good for natural stone, and there are a few types in particular that have millions of Norwegians wooed.

Norway’s natural stone has become sought-after all around the world, and 90 per cent of stone production here is of varying forms of blue granite. The majority of this stone is found in the city of Larvik, a beautiful place with 123km of natural coastline. But when people think of Norway’s natural stone, they often think of Lundhs.

So what is Lundhs, and why should fans of beautiful natural stone check it out?

Lundhs = Larvikite

The blue granite produced in and around the city of Larvik is called Larvikite, and there is one company whose 15 quarries in the area make it the sole supplier of Larvikite and the biggest exporter of natural stone in Norway. That company is Lundhs.

Owned by the Lundh and Treschow families, Lundhs upholds more than a century of Norwegian quarrying traditions to produce some of the world’s most unique and beautiful natural stone. The company employs around 160 people, and while it’s based in Larvik, it also has offices in China, Brazil, Dubai, Vietnam, India, Taiwan, and Italy.

Lundhs colours and styles

There are seven types of Larvikite stone, those being:

Lundhs Blue – also known as ‘Blue Pearl’, Blue has a gorgeous surface of blue feldspar crystals that perfectly complements other materials and outdoor settings

Lundhs Emerald – with a beautiful dark background with stunning blue crystals, Emerald is extremely popular for both interior and exterior use

Lundhs Royal – composed of large bright blue feldspar crystals, Royal is perfect for kitchen countertops and flooring

Lundhs Ocean – with a grey-green background, Ocean is popularly used for tiles and shop fronts

Lundhs Marina – frequently used for monuments as well as decorative use

Lundhs Aurora – most commonly used for countertops, Aurora is an Anorthosite with big, dark blue crystals

Lundhs Silver – most commonly used for cladding and flooring large areas.

But while blue granite dominates Lundhs’ product range, there are also other materials available from western parts of Norway. These include Lundhs Antique – a relatively new stone on the market that has become incredibly popular for kitchen tops, bar-tops, desktops, and flooring. It boasts a unique compound of blue and purple crystals on a brown background and is becoming a material of choice for millions of people undertaking interior decoration around the world.

Lundhs on location

So, where might you have seen Lundhs materials? Well, The Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square, London, chose Lundhs Royal as it’s the natural stone for its new façade after a 2012 renovation. The material’s polished finish perfectly complements the sophisticated nature of the venue in the heart of the capital

Meanwhile, the tallest building in Jacksonville, Florida – the Bank of America Tower – is clad with Lundhs Silver. The same material is also used for decorative purposes in the entrance and lobby, showing the versatility and visual appeal that Lundhs products have.

Of course, it’s not just commercial exteriors and interiors that Lundhs is popular for. Its natural stone is equally as beautiful within the home, whether for use as a kitchen worktop or floor, or bathroom suite.

Norwegian stone – who would have known? Well, we’re going to continue spreading the word on the beauty of Lundhs and its blue granite Larkavite materials.