How a Quartz Stone Inspired by Jura Grey Limestone Came to Be: The Story Behind Nordura Grey

Jura Grey limestone is arguably one of the most beloved natural stones in Europe. Its soft grey tone and the pattern left behind by ancient marine organisms make it a material equally at home in traditional and contemporary interiors alike. And yet some customers hesitate to choose it, because while natural stone stays beautiful for years, it has to be cared for properly – and that, as we all know, takes time and commitment.

That very realisation is where the story of Nordura Grey began. Commissioned by Granitop, it is a quartz stone inspired by Jura Grey limestone that pairs the timeless beauty of limestone with the ease of use and durability of engineered stone. We asked Granitop’s CEO, Silver Suurkütt, to tell us how the new material came about.

Where did the idea to create a quartz stone that imitates Jura Grey limestone come from?

Our customers really do love Jura Grey limestone. It’s an exceptionally beautiful stone, and its grey tone suits almost any kitchen. But over the years we’ve seen the same thing play out again and again: a customer picks out this limestone and then starts having second thoughts, because at the end of the day it’s still a natural material that needs regular upkeep.

With the pace of life today, people often prefer convenience and there’s nothing wrong with that in itself. We saw a clear gap here. What if we offered that same beautiful Jura Grey pattern in a way that asks less of us in everyday life? That’s how Nordura Grey was born.

Why choose Nordura Grey quartz over natural limestone?

I certainly wouldn’t say that one stone is better than the other, they’re simply different products for different people. Limestone demands care, because it “matured” over millions of years and is a truly natural material with all of nature’s quirks. Quartz, on the other hand, is an engineered stone shaped by humans with technical properties designed specifically for everyday use.

Nordura Grey is resistant to heat and cold, to scratches and stains, and to UV light. Because the material has no pores, bacteria can’t collect in it and the surface needs no sealing. A damp cloth is all it takes to clean the worktop. For families living at a fast pace, that argument alone is often the deciding factor.

How long did developing Nordura Grey take?

From idea to finished product it took us roughly six months, with steady work going on the whole time. We didn’t settle for the first prototype as we made a dozen or so versions, each with small changes, before we were truly happy with the result.

Every change called for close collaboration with our production partner. We were fortunate to work with a manufacturer that has decades of experience making quartz stone and technology at the very top of its field. Without that, we simply couldn’t have achieved such a precise and authentic result.

What was the hardest part of the development?

Without a doubt, the biggest challenge was creating the impressions of fossils within the quartz. It’s precisely those details, inspired by ancient marine organisms, that give Jura Grey its character. Reproducing them faithfully, without the pattern looking machine-made or repetitive, was genuinely very difficult.

But we managed it. When the first full-size slabs arrived at Granitop’s warehouse, we were all delighted, because the pattern was exactly as we’d imagined it. A result like that is only possible today with the very best raw materials and modern production lines and it makes me very proud of what we achieved.

In what ways does Nordura Grey still differ from genuine Jura Grey?

Let’s be precise: quartz is convenient and hygienic, but it isn’t millions of years old. Genuine limestone is a piece of history and for some customers that authenticity is a very important argument. That’s completely understandable and we fully respect every customer’s choice.

Nordura Grey isn’t meant to replace natural stone. Above all, it’s meant to offer an alternative to those for whom everyday convenience outweighs the wish to have real natural stone at home. For anyone who wants the limestone pattern but without the maintenance burden, that’s exactly who we created Nordura Grey for.

What finishes does Nordura Grey come in, and where can you get it?

Nordura Grey is currently available in a 20 mm thickness and in honed (matte) finish. Thanks to its smooth, pore-free surface, it works equally well in the kitchen and the bathroom.

“Nordura Grey belongs to Granitop’s exclusive special collection, which means this quartz can only be ordered from us,” Silver adds in closing. “I invite everyone who has ever been captivated by the Jura Grey pattern to have a look at this new material because, as the saying goes, seeing is believing.”

Interested in Nordura Grey? Order a sample or contact us for a free consultation. We’ll help you find the right solution for your kitchen or bathroom.