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Panda Onyx is a natural stone prized for its dramatic and sophisticated appearance, featuring bold black veins that sweep across a white background. This striking pattern makes it a centerpiece in any room, offering a timeless charm that is both modern and classic. This bold, high-contrast visual impact is best achieved when the stone’s translucency is used thoughtfully, particularly with backlighting. Because it is calcite-based, it is visually dramatic but requires care in use. Let’s explore why this elegant stone has become a favorite among designers and architects worldwide.
When quality matters, choosing a reliable provider of the stone becomes vital. Sourcing a natural stone like Panda Onyx requires expertise to ensure the material’s color, pattern, and structural integrity are consistent. A reliable supplier manages the complex process from quarry to final delivery, including traceability from block to slab, guaranteeing that the slabs you select are the ones you receive. JAM Stone Co. is a trusted and experienced supplier of Panda Onyx. The company is committed to providing high-quality, authentic stone to clients, ensuring that every project benefits from premium materials.
Panda Onyx is a high-contrast natural stone known for its striking appearance. It is technically classified as an onyx-marble, which means it is a calcite-based stone with bands or layers. Its defining feature is a creamy or milky white base, which is often translucent, dramatically interrupted by wide, flowing veins of deep black. Because of this distinct black-and-white coloring, it is also frequently called “Panda Marble.” In the trade, “Panda Marble” may also refer to non-translucent marbles with similar colors; buyers should verify translucency when backlighting is required. This material is quarried in several countries, including Iran, China, and Turkey. It is often processed in bookmatched pairs, where two slabs are cut and polished to create a mirror image of their patterns.
The technical properties of Panda Onyx define how and where it can be used. As a stone composed primarily of calcite, it is relatively soft compared to granite and should be handled with care. Specific, published test data for this exact commercial grade are limited; therefore general values for calcitic onyx-marble are used as indicative ranges. Open-pore absorption is typically low to moderate, but micro-fissures and banding make sealing and careful fabrication important. Its strength is suitable for decorative features rather than heavy structural loads.
This stone consists mainly of calcite, which is calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and may include dolomite. The bold black veins that give the stone its name are formed by various mineral impurities, such as carbon materials or iron oxides, embedded within the calcite structure. Local variability in banding can influence appearance and fabrication strategy.
The base hue spectrum ranges from a milky, semi-translucent white to a creamier, more opaque white. The pattern is its key feature, characterized by very bold, irregular, and broad black veins. The vein density is typically high and the pattern is non-uniform, often described as “sweeping” or “wavy,” making each slab unique.
Typical bulk density for calcitic onyx-marble is ~2.67–2.75 g/cm³</mark>, similar to marble. Water absorption by weight commonly falls around 0.1–0.5%. These values indicate low to moderate uptake but not immunity to staining; sealing is recommended.
On the Mohs hardness scale, this stone scores approximately 3 to 4, making it a relatively soft stone that can be scratched. Indicative compressive strength for calcitic onyx-marble is commonly ~60–110 MPa, with flexural strength often ~7–15 MPa, confirming it is best suited for decorative applications rather than high-stress structural use.
As a natural product, slabs may contain inclusions or defects. These can include natural fissures or micro-cracks, which are typically filled with a clear resin at the factory. Other features might include minor clay seams or stylolites. Fiberglass/mesh backing is commonly applied to enhance handling stability.
The visual and chemical properties of Panda Onyx are directly linked. Its most valued aesthetic trait, beyond the pattern, is its translucency. The white areas of the stone can allow light to pass through, making it a perfect choice for backlighting. When polished, it achieves a very high, glass-like sheen. However, its chemical makeup requires special consideration. As a calcite-based stone, it is highly sensitive to acids, which can “etch,” or dull, the polished surface. Preventative care and correct maintenance are essential.
The stone’s white sections possess significant translucency. This allows designers to install lighting behind the slab for a dramatic, glowing effect. It polishes to a very high gloss. Honed or brushed finishes are also popular, offering a softer, non-reflective appearance that slightly mutes the contrast.
A polished finish feels extremely smooth, slick, and glassy. It has a distinct tactile coolness, typical of natural stone. If a matte look is desired, honed or brushed finishes provide a softer, less reflective texture. These finishes may reveal slight, natural micro-pitting, which adds to the stone’s organic feel.
This stone is highly sensitive to acidic substances. Spills from lemon juice, wine, or vinegar will cause etching (a dull spot) on the surface. It is not recommended for exterior use or freeze-thaw environments. While its color is generally UV stable, its polished surface can be damaged by weathering.
Panda Onyx has a high percentage of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It readily etches with weak household acids; visible effervescence is typically observed with stronger acids. A high-quality penetrating sealer reduces staining risk but does not prevent acid etching.
Available Sizes and Formats of Panda Onyx
Panda Onyx is processed into formats that best highlight its large, dramatic patterns. Because the sweeping veins are a key feature, large slabs are the most common format, allowing the pattern to be displayed without interruption. It is also available in standard tile formats for flooring and walls, as well as custom-cut pieces for specific projects. However, some formats are not realistic; pavers, for example, are not a suitable or recommended format for this type of decorative stone due to its softness and susceptibility to damage.
This is the primary format, with standard thicknesses of 2 cm or 3 cm. Slabs are essential for showing the large, flowing pattern. They are often sold in bookmatched pairs, which are cut consecutively and polished on opposite sides to create a perfect mirror image. This is ideal for large feature walls or waterfall islands.
Tiles are available in standard sizes such as 12″×12″ (30×30 cm), 12″×24″ (30×60 cm), and 24″×24″ (60×60 cm). Larger formats such as 24″×48″ (60×120 cm) are also feasible where handling allows. Large-format tiles are preferred to better display the stone’s pattern and minimize grout lines. Tiles are cut from the same blocks as slabs to ensure a good match for flooring and wall applications.
This format involves cutting slabs to precise, custom dimensions based on a project’s specifications. Common cut-to-size items include bathroom vanity tops, small tabletops, thresholds, and custom surrounds for fireplaces or bathtubs. This process allows for full integration of the stone’s pattern into a specific design element.
The stone is often cut into small, repeating mosaic patterns. Common shapes include herringbone, hexagon, chevron, or simple squares. These are typically mounted on a mesh sheet for easy installation. Mosaics are excellent for creating accent details, backsplashes, or use on shower walls (floor use is generally discouraged due to softness and maintenance sensitivities).
This format is not realistic or appropriate for Panda Onyx. The stone is too soft (Mohs 3–4) and susceptible to etching and freeze–thaw damage for use as an outdoor paver. It would be quickly damaged by heavy foot traffic, grit, and, most importantly, freeze–thaw cycles in exterior climates. This format is not commercially produced for this stone type.
Thin strips of the stone can be cut and polished to create skirting, also known as baseboards. This format is designed to create a seamless transition between a Panda Onyx tile floor and the wall. It provides a high-end, continuous look and protects the base of the wall from scuffs and moisture.
Raw blocks are the large, cuboid pieces of stone cut directly from the quarry using wire saws. These blocks are graded for quality based on their pattern and lack of fissures. They are the raw material transported to processing facilities, where they are then sliced into the slabs that become the final product.
The applications for Panda Onyx are guided by its striking appearance and its physical limitations. It is used almost exclusively for interior projects where it serves as a “statement piece.” Its beauty is best displayed on vertical surfaces or in low-traffic areas where it is protected from heavy wear, scratches, and acidic spills. Common uses include feature walls, bathroom vanities, and decorative surrounds. Kitchen worktops require careful consideration and disciplined care; many designers prefer it for islands with limited prep, bars, or reception counters—especially when backlit. Its translucency makes it a premier choice for backlit applications, such as bar tops or reception desks, where light can pass through the white portions of the stone.
It is not possible to provide a specific price for Panda Onyx because the cost differs significantly based on many variables. The final price for a project depends on the specific quality of the stone, the amount needed, and the logistics of getting it to the location. Instead of a set price, it is more helpful to understand the factors that influence the cost. These range from the clarity of the stone’s background to the thickness of the slab and the transportation required from its source.
This is the most important price factor. Higher grades, often called “premium” or “first choice,” have a clearer, whiter background, more desirable and dramatic black veining, and very few natural blemishes or fissures. Lower grades may have a creamier or muddier base color, less distinct patterns, or more visible filled cracks.
Large, intact blocks that yield multiple large, bookmatched slabs without significant defects are rare and highly valued. The ability to produce big, clean slabs (high yield) from a single block increases the value. Blocks with many cracks or inconsistent patterns are less expensive because the usable slab area is smaller.
The quality of the factory’s processing significantly impacts the price. This includes the effectiveness of the resin application to fill micro-fissures, the uniformity and depth of the polish, and the precision of the cut (calibrated edges). High-quality processing ensures the slab is durable, beautiful, and ready for fabrication, which commands a higher price.
A high-gloss polish is the standard and most common finish for Panda Onyx, as it enhances the stone’s contrast and translucency. Other finishes, such as honed (matte) or brushed (textured), require different processing steps. These alternative finishes may have a different cost associated with their production, depending on the factory’s capabilities.
Thicker slabs, such as 3 cm (1 1/4″), cost significantly more than standard 2 cm (3/4″) slabs because they use more raw material and are heavier to transport. Likewise, very large-format tiles or complex custom-cut pieces increase the cost due to the higher waste and specialized cutting required during production.
Panda Onyx is a heavy material quarried in specific locations, including Iran and China. The cost to safely transport heavy blocks and fragile slabs across oceans to the final destination is a major component of the price. Availability and current market demand also play a significant role; rarer, high-quality batches will cost more.
The journey of Panda Onyx begins deep within a quarry. Using specialized equipment like diamond wire saws, massive blocks of stone are carefully cut and extracted from the mountain. These raw blocks are inspected at the quarry for their basic color and pattern quality. Once selected, the heavy blocks, which can weigh many tons, are loaded onto trucks and transported to a processing facility. This initial extraction phase is critical for securing blocks that will yield beautiful, structurally sound slabs for the global market.
Once at the factory, the blocks are sliced into slabs of a set thickness, typically 2 cm or 3 cm, using large gang saws or multi-wire saws. Because of the stone’s delicate nature, the slabs often receive a fiberglass mesh backing to increase their strength. A resin is then applied to the face to fill any micro-fissures. After the resin cures, the slabs are ground, polished to a high gloss, and inspected for quality. Finally, they are carefully packed into wooden bundles or crates to be shipped to distributors and clients.
Proper maintenance for Panda Onyx focuses on prevention. The most important step is to apply a high-quality penetrating sealer after installation and to reseal it regularly, typically every 6–12 months depending on use and product guidance. Sealing helps prevent liquids from being absorbed and reduces the risk of staining. Note that sealers do not stop acid etching. It is critical to avoid all acidic or harsh chemical cleaners, including vinegar, lemon-based soaps, or bleach, as these will etch the surface. Always use coasters under glasses and placemats under dishes. A major pitfall to avoid is letting spills, especially wine, coffee, or juice, sit on the surface; they must be blotted up immediately.
For daily cleaning, use only a soft cloth and warm water or a stone cleaner specifically formulated to be pH-neutral. During installation, use a white, non-staining, polymer-modified thinset designed for translucent stone (adhesive), as dark mortars can show through. Keep grout joints tight (about 2–3 mm) and use unsanded grout to avoid scratching polished faces. By following these guidelines, the stone’s dramatic beauty can be protected for many years.
JAM Stone Co. manages an integrated operation as a provider of Panda Onyx. This end-to-end involvement begins with long-term relationships with reputable mine owners in the key stone-producing regions of Iran. By securing access to premium quarries, the company can select the best raw blocks. These blocks are then processed using state-of-the-art technologies, such as precision polishing lines and waterjet cutting for custom orders. Robust quality assurance systems and in-house labs are used at every step to ensure batch consistency. This control guarantees the finished product meets high standards.
As a reliable supplier of Panda Onyx, we focus on building buyer confidence by supporting global procurement needs. Our process includes multi-stage quality inspections where each slab is checked for visual grading and edge integrity. We adhere to international standards and maintain relevant certifications (e.g., ISO; CE marking where applicable). JAM Stone Co. has a strong export track record, shipping to the GCC, Europe, and East Asia. We offer flexibility for minimum order quantities (MOQ) to serve both large-scale and smaller-scale buyers. Our efficient logistics department ensures secure crating and timely delivery, including support for client-specific cutting requests.
The provenance of our Panda Onyx is a key part of its quality. Our stone is sourced from a partner quarry in a geologically significant region of Iran. This premium bed is known for its consistent reserves, which produce blocks with the desirable clear white background and dramatic black veining. As a direct exporter of Panda Onyx, JAM Stone Co.’s access to these strategic reserves ensures an uninterrupted supply chain. This allows us to consistently source high-quality raw material, providing clients with a dependable source for this exceptional stone.
JAM Stone Co. takes great care to ensure the safe and professional packaging of Panda Onyx for both domestic and international shipments. Slabs and tiles are protected using foam sheets between polished surfaces, strong corner protectors, and moisture-resistant wrappings. This material is then packed into durable, heat-treated wooden crates to prevent breakage. We offer options for bulk palletizing or individual crating, depending on the order size and destination requirements. Our logistics team also focuses on container optimization, carefully loading containers to lower shipping costs for our clients and reduce the risk of damage during transit.
is one of the rarest and most beautiful marble stones in the world, distinguished by its unique features and appeal.
Panda Onyx is highly sought after in international markets, particularly in regions known for luxury construction and high-end interior design, such as the Middle East, Europe, and North America. Its unique aesthetic appeal, combined with its rarity, makes it a premium choice for upscale hotels, residential projects, and office spaces. Countries like the UAE, Italy, and the United States are among the top importers of this exquisite stone, where it is used in exclusive architectural projects and luxury interiors.
Address: No. 1014, JAM Center, Jamaran St., Niavaran, Tehran, Iran – 1977763988
Email: info@jamstoneco.com
