Black granite pavers remain one of the most sought after materials for high end driveways, walkways, patios, and commercial hardscapes. Their deep color, natural texture, and extreme durability make them a favorite among landscape architects, contractors, and property owners who want a surface that looks striking on day one and holds up for decades.
But "black granite" is a broad category. The stone you choose, the finish, and where you source it will determine everything from the price per square foot to how the surface performs through Northeast winters. This guide breaks down the most common types of black granite available in the US, what drives pricing, and what separates a reliable wholesale supplier from one that wastes your time.
Types of Black Granite on the US Market
Not all black granite is the same. The three most common varieties you will find from US distributors each have distinct characteristics, price points, and performance profiles.
Absolute Black (Shanxi Black)
Absolute Black is quarried primarily in China and India. It offers a uniform, deep black surface with virtually no grain or pattern variation. Most commonly available in polished or honed finishes, it is popular for interior applications, countertops, and formal outdoor spaces. Polished Absolute Black can be slippery when wet, which limits its use for walkways and driveways in climates with rain or snow.
Galaxy Black (Star Galaxy)
Galaxy Black features a dark base with small gold or copper flecks (bronzite crystals) scattered across the surface. It is quarried mainly in India. Galaxy Black is visually distinctive and often used in decorative applications. However, the bronzite inclusions can affect the stone's weather resistance over time, and it is less commonly available as a thick splitface paver.
Labradorite (Black Ice)
Labradorite is quarried in Ukraine from the Neverovka deposit in the Zhytomyr region. It is one of the densest and hardest black stones on the market. What sets it apart is its iridescent play of color: subtle blue and green flashes appear under natural light, giving the surface a depth that no other black granite can match. Labradorite is most often available in a splitface finish, which provides excellent traction and a natural, textured look ideal for outdoor hardscaping.
Key distinction: Labradorite offers the lowest water absorption of any common black granite (as low as 0.06%), making it exceptionally resistant to freeze-thaw damage. This is a critical factor for projects in cold climates.
What Drives Black Granite Paver Pricing
The retail price for black granite pavers in the US typically falls between $10 and $30 per square foot. That is a wide range, and several factors explain the spread.
Country of Origin and Quarry
Stone from different quarries carries different extraction costs, labor costs, and shipping distances. Indian granite tends to be mid range. Chinese granite varies widely in quality and price. Ukrainian labradorite, while premium in specs, is competitively priced because of efficient quarrying operations and direct import relationships that bypass multiple middlemen.
Finish and Processing
A polished surface costs more to produce than a splitface or tumbled finish. Splitface pavers are mechanically split along the natural grain, which requires less processing and preserves the stone's natural texture. Tumbled pavers go through an additional step that rounds the edges. Each finish changes both the look and the price.
Thickness and Cut
Standard paver thickness ranges from 3/4" to 1.25". Thicker pavers cost more per piece but offer greater structural integrity for vehicular applications. A 1" thick paver with proper base preparation will handle passenger vehicles without issue.
Supply Chain and Middlemen
This is the factor that matters most. A paver that passes through a quarry, an exporter, a US importer, a regional distributor, and a local dealer picks up markups at every stage. The shortest path from quarry to your project site delivers the best price.
Wholesale, Contractor, and Retail Pricing Tiers
Most reputable stone suppliers offer tiered pricing based on volume and buyer type. Here is what you should expect for black granite pavers across different purchasing levels.
| Buyer Tier | Typical Volume | Market Range (per sqft) | Black Ice L7 (per sqft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail | Under 100 sqft | $20 to $30 | $14 to $15 |
| Contractor | 100 to 500 sqft | $16 to $24 | $12 to $13 |
| Wholesale | 500+ sqft (pallet quantities) | $10 to $18 | $10 to $11 |
The gap between market range and Black Ice L7 pricing reflects the difference between a multi layered distribution chain and a direct import model. When you buy from a supplier who imports directly from the quarry and ships from their own warehouse, you cut out the markups that inflate prices at every handoff.
What to Look for in a Wholesale Supplier
Price matters, but the cheapest per square foot number means nothing if the stone shows up late, inconsistent, or without documentation. Here is what separates a supplier worth working with from one that will cost you in the long run.
- Published technical specs. Compressive strength, water absorption, density, and hardness should be stated up front, not buried or unavailable. If a supplier cannot provide these numbers, the stone has not been properly tested.
- Physical samples before you commit. Photos are a starting point, but natural stone varies. A supplier who ships free samples is confident in their product. One who does not is hiding something.
- Transparent pricing with no minimum games. Some suppliers advertise wholesale pricing but require 10+ pallet minimums to actually get that rate. Look for suppliers who offer fair pricing at reasonable volumes.
- US warehouse with available inventory. "Ships in 8 to 12 weeks from overseas" means the supplier does not actually carry the product. If the stone is not in a US warehouse, you are exposed to shipping delays, customs holds, and container damage risk.
- Freeze-thaw performance data. For any project north of the Mason Dixon line, you need stone with water absorption under 0.5% and documented freeze-thaw cycle performance. This is non negotiable.
- Consistent sizing and finish. Natural stone always has some variation, but well managed quarry operations keep dimensional tolerances tight. Ask about tolerance ranges before ordering.
Why Black Ice L7 Stands Out
Black Ice L7 is a Labradorite granite quarried from the Neverovka deposit in Zhytomyr, Ukraine. It is one of the hardest and densest black paver stones available in the United States, and its wholesale pricing undercuts most competing black granite products by 40% or more.
Here are the numbers that matter:
- Compressive strength: up to 31,300 PSI. For context, most black granite pavers on the US market fall in the 15,000 to 25,000 PSI range. Higher compressive strength means the stone handles heavier loads and resists cracking under pressure.
- Water absorption: as low as 0.06%. This is among the lowest of any natural stone paver available. Low water absorption directly translates to superior freeze-thaw resistance. Water cannot get in, so it cannot expand and crack the stone.
- Density: 2,780 to 2,830 kg/m3. Dense stone resists surface wear, staining, and biological growth better than porous alternatives.
- Mohs hardness: 6 to 6.5. For reference, quartz is 7. This stone does not scratch easily.
- Finish: natural splitface, providing excellent traction even when wet.
- Size: 7.87" x 3.94" x 1" (200 x 100 x 25mm). A standard modular size that works with common paver laying patterns.
Direct import pricing advantage: OD Granite Group imports Black Ice L7 directly from the quarry and warehouses it in Cleveland, OH. No middlemen. No container wait times. The stone is in stock and ready to ship.
The combination of elite physical properties and direct import pricing makes Black Ice L7 a compelling option for contractors, stone yards, and landscape professionals looking for a premium black paver without the premium markup.
Making the Right Choice
Choosing the right black granite paver comes down to three questions: Does the stone perform in your climate? Does the supplier back up their claims with specs and samples? And does the pricing reflect a direct supply chain or a stack of markups?
For projects that demand the strongest, most weather resistant black paver at a competitive wholesale price, Black Ice L7 delivers on all three. Request a sample, compare the specs against anything else on the market, and let the stone speak for itself.