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Did you ever hear of Black Uba Tuba?

14 years ago

Thanks again to everyone who answered my question last week about the cost of granite. I got an estimate at a local shop, and I had three choices in the lowest price group. One was regular, greenish Uba Tuba (I saw their slabs, and they were definitely what I would call dark green); Santa Cecelia, and Black Uba Tuba.

They did not have a slab of the Black Uba Tuba because it was on order and not in yet. However, they gave me a 4x4 sample of it. They assured me that this Black Uba Tuba does not have the green tones of regular Uba Tuba. I really like the sample. It's definitely black, with brown and gold flecks. And I got an estimate of $3300, which includes all installation, edge, taxes, and labor. I am pleased with that price and surprised, actually!

So...have you ever heard of Black Uba Tuba? I have searched online, and the only results I get are something like, "Do you think your Uba Tuba is black or green?" but I can find pictures, or information, on this Uba Tuba that is mostly black. I wonder if this shop just calls it this, and it goes by another name somewhere else?

Thank you for any opinions you have! And does anyone have Saint Cecelia with bright white cabinets and a white backsplash? I loved the slabs, but I don't like the sample in my kitchen.

Thanks!

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Comments (9)

ckstjamj22
14 years ago
I have Uba Tuba in the master bath and although it was not sold to me as "black" Uba Tuba, it is black, not green. No greenish hue in natural or artificial light indoors or out. Definitely reads black. When I purchased it, I didn't even realize that Uba Tuba is generally greenish, just bought what I liked.
marble_com
14 years ago
It's just the name the fabricator has given the stone, to make it appear "exclusive" to them. Probably mined in Brazil close to where the regular Ubatuba is quarried.
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Yeah, you really can't pick something that is millions of years old (I think the granite on my island dates back 50 or 60 million years as the probably time of it's formation) and think of it as something to replace every 10 years. The new and exotic may well be the priciest choice and the one you would most quickly tire of. Would you reject a brunette baby because they were the most common or love the individuality of your very own? Uba Tuba was one of the first granites you saw, and there is a lot of it. It is usually one of the base priced selections, but it doesn't mean that it is lesser quality -- just that it is not rare or new and exotic. Some has more green, some has more gold, and some will look even more dark and black. Do pick your slab for this one so you aren't surprised. I have a neighbor who has it with a white kitchen and I loved it. Thought it was black when I first saw it, but it has more character and life. I'm sure it's been used in other homes around here, but that's the one I always think of. It has gotten a bad rap from folks who want the latest and something different or simply something to know they spent a lot more on, but it is a classic for a reason. Unless everyone you know has it and you're tired of seeing it yourself, I wouldn't be concerned. Every slab is unique.
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As others have already said, Uba Tuba varies quite widely, depending on where it's from. I saw a counter in one kitchen store that I thought was absolutely gorgeous (lots and lots of gold)- I couldn't believe them when they said it was Uba Tuba. Another blue/black to look for is Butterfly Blue- though I can tell you from personal experience (not good- unfortunately) that it also can vary quite widely from piece to piece.
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weedmeister
14 years ago
Sounds like something I used to smoke during the 60's...
lanuzzo
14 years ago
I am looking at Black Uba Tuba as well. It is sometimes also called Brazil Black, Brazilian Black, or Andes Black.
vidaprodiga
14 years ago
I am in the granite business myself and yes- each supplier or fabricator has a different name for Uba Tuba- it's on the black side with hints of green and very tiny hints of yellow- but 99% black. It's a lower end granite with hardly any movement but makes for a great countertop and hides seams well...
tracey_b
14 years ago
My granite place has the black and the green. I think they're calling the green something like Green Labrador (after the Uba Tuba name, to differentiate it from the black).
michiganrachel
14 years ago
I had black ubatuba in an old kitchen. It was definitely black with no trace of green.
beths96
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, everyone! Well, I talked to the granite place today and I'm not happy. They "forgot" to tell me about the fee for undermount sink polishing. Oh well...

I am really starting to think that I should take this budget that I have put aside for granite and do other things in the house with it. I don't hate my laminate, and I get all kinds of complements on it. When I think about what I could do with that $4000 in my house..new carpet upstairs, two new windows on either side of my fireplace...roof with ceiling fan over my back patio...well, I really start to re-think granite. It's not a common thing to have in my area, so I'm not so sure I need it. I could even get new flooring in my bathroom with that extra money I would have used on granite. So I'm starting to change my mind.

Thank you all for your input, though! I'll keep thinking it over.
morgne
14 years ago
Weedmeister,

Smoked back in the sixties huh? Then your forum name must be a reference to your landscaping job?

Lol!

M.

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