Many visitors of Portugalimestones feel confused about the number of names used to identify the different types of Portuguese Limestones. To put it simple, consider that the 3 major Portuguese Limestones ( Moleanos , Moca Cream and Semi-Rijo , with its sub-variations) may represent more that 90% of total production of Portuguese Limestones in Portugal. Some other Portuguese Limestones either have inexpressive market quota or do not have production history or continuity.

Portugalimestones.com uses official names from INETI (please see www.ineti.pt ) or names used in the local tradition.

Moleanos Limestone:

The Moleanos Limestone is extracted around the village with the same name, which is located in the centre of Portugal close to the historical city of Alcobaça. Used in Portugal for more than 50 years as the main building stone (either in private or public construction), it can be found at every single village in flooring, façades, public monuments, shopping centres and at the main floor of Lisbon Airport. The Moleanos flexible utilization (it can be used for internal and external flooring and cladding) has also conquered the international market, where it can be known under various commercial nicknames, such as Gasgogne Beige or Gasgogne Blue, Guido Limestone or Porto Velho. Although production is centralized in a small area and in 3 main quarries, it is largely transformed and commercialized by few dozen of companies. For more information about Moleanos Limestone go to main quarry website www.sousaecatarino.com or to www.sgm.pt .

Moca Cream Limestone:

The Moca Cream Limestone is extracted at Pé da Pedreira – Alcanede, which is located in the central region of Portugal. Its extraction is mainly done by some three dozen quarries located in this region. The Moca Cream Limestone is by excellence an export limestone, where its unique parallel veinage effect has conquered the architects and decorators all over the World and most recently, the Chinese. Technically, the Moca Cream Limestone can be used in masonry, internal and external cladding, as well as flooring with moderate use. The Moca Cream Limestone is mostly commercialized with the cut against the veinage (more rarely with the cut in favour) in three main forms: Gross Grain, Medium Grain, Fine Grain (the last also known as Relvinha). www.grupoferrarias.com or www.calcidrata.pt are some of the quarries for Moca Cream Limestone. For transformed material, please visit www.sgm.pt .

Semi-Rijo Limestone:

This white limestone is extracted in 2 hills which are separated by a valley, the Salgueira / Cabeça de Veada hill in one side, whereas on the other side is the Codaçal hill. Both hills are closed to the main Moca Cream Limestone and Moleanos Limestone quarries at Serra D'Aire e Candeeiros. Generally Semi-Rijo Limestone is a soft limestone in terms of hardness, with a white medium / low grain aspect. Nevertheless, it is common to find some layers of production where the material may be harder, as is the case with the Cabeça de Veada Limestone. The Semi-Rijo Limestone is mainly used in cladding, nonetheless and due to its uniformity and availability it can be used in large scale projects. The main commercial names by which the Semi-Rijo Limestone is known are: Salgueira, Branco do Mar, Sintra, Rosal. For more information about this type of limestone, please visit some of the main Semi-Rijo quarries: www.miexport.net, www.valedapia.com, www.candipedra.com. For cladding utilization, please visit www.sgm.pt .

Alphabetic list of Portuguese Limestones described in this web portal:

» Alpinina Atlantida

» Alpinina

» Azul Valverde, also known as Lagos Blue

» Azul Verde Mixed

» Amarelo Valverde, also known as Lagos Beige

» Amarelo Lirios

» Azul Peniche Claro

» Azul Peniche Escuro

» Brecha Santo Antonio Beige

» Brecha Santo Antonio Cinzenta

» Brecha do Algarve

» Branco do Mar

» Creme fatima Fine Grain

» Creme Fatima Medium Grain

» Cabeca de Veada Fine Grain

» Cabeca de Veada Medium Grain

» Creme Mos

» Diane Green

» Gasgogne Beige

» Gasgogne GrisG

» Gasgogne Mixed

» Moleanos Classico, also known as VDM

» Moleanos Classico Mixed Blue and Beige, also known as VDM

» Moleanos Fine Grain

» Moleanos Fine Grain Gris

» Moleanos Grain Mix

» Moca Cream Fine Grain, also known as Relvinha

» Moca Cream Medium Grain

» Moca Cream Gross Grain

» Moca Cream CDT

» Moca Cream Ferrarias

» Semi-Rijo do Codacal, also known as Rosal

» Semi-Rijo do Arrimal, also known as Salgueira, and by mistake Branco do Mar

» Vidraco de Moleanos

» Vidraco Ataija Creme

» Vidraco Ataija Azul

» Vidraco Ataija Mixed Beige + Gris.

By: João Grenho