Vals Quartzite by Truffer
Stone
September 18 | 2025 A timeless stone from the Swiss Alps
Formed over millions of years in the alpine valley of Vals, Vals Quartzite unites natural strength with refined beauty. Its quartz and mica layers create shimmering depth, subtle variation, and lasting durability. Today it stands among the most celebrated stones in contemporary architecture, recognised worldwide for its distinct alpine character.
THE STORY BEHIND
The history of Vals Quartzite is inseparable from its village. Used for centuries in roofs and walls, the stone proved its resilience in the harsh alpine climate. In 1983, Pia and Pius Truffer founded Truffer AG, carrying this tradition into the modern era. By combining heritage with advanced technology, they transformed the quarry into a global source for architects seeking authenticity and precision.
A landmark of this legacy is Therme Vals by Peter Zumthor, where massive walls of quartzite echo both mountain and quarry. More recently, Truffer’s own headquarters, Haus Balma with Kengo Kuma & Associates, demonstrates the stone’s versatility across facades, structures, and interiors.
NATURAL ORIGIN
Vals Quartzite is a mica quartzite with quartz and mica layers that give strength and a distinctive light-reflecting character. Its tones shift from cool greys to warmer greens with light and water. Each block is unique: split surfaces show raw layers, while honed or brushed finishes highlight veining and crystal sparkle. Dense, low-porosity, and frost-resistant, the stone is enduring and refined. For interiors and exteriors, it comes in large slabs as well as smaller formats, making it possible to create a continuous flow across floors, walls, and outdoor areas, an approach often referred to as steinparkett.
ENDURING QUALITIES
Built to last, Vals Quartzite resists water, frost, and erosion, retaining its strength and character for decades. Its versatility allows for rough-split slabs, smooth panels, or brushed finishes, moving seamlessly between rustic tradition and modern precision.
ARCHITECTURAL PRESTIGE
More than a building material, Vals Quartzite is a cultural marker. From Zumthor’s Therme Vals to contemporary residences worldwide, it conveys authenticity and permanence. Architects value its ability to interact with light, creating depth and shadow while reflecting the raw alpine landscape in built form.
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EXPLORE THE STONE
FACADES
Resistant to frost, heat, and weather, Vals Quartzite is ideal for exterior cladding. Its distinctive layered masonry creates facades with depth and rhythm, where split surfaces cast rich shadows and honed panels achieve refined continuity. Over time, the stone develops a subtle patina that further enhances the building’s character and presence.
POOLS
With its low porosity and strong resistance to water and frost, Vals Quartzite performs exceptionally well in wet environments. In contact with water, the stone’s tones deepen, while brushed or sandblasted finishes provide both safety and elegance. For spa and pool settings, the Augen variety is often chosen; its subtle eye-shaped structures add texture, improve slip resistance, and create a distinctive visual depth when seen beneath the water’s surface.
INTERIORS
Durable yet atmospheric, Vals Quartzite is ideal for kitchens and bathrooms, combining resilience with refined character. Honed finishes bring out a crystalline sparkle, while brushed or flamed textures add a tactile softness that helps mask water spots and slipping. Beyond standard applications, it can also be crafted into custom-made stone components tailored to special architectural projects, uniting luxury with lasting practicality.
A LIVING MATERIAL
What makes Vals Quartzite truly exceptional is its authenticity. Each piece carries the history of geological time, millions of years of compression, crystallisation, and transformation. Installed in a building, the stone continues its life: shifting slightly in tone with weather, reflecting the passing of light, and developing a surface character unique to its setting.
It is this living quality, the ability to age gracefully while retaining strength, that makes Vals Quartzite a favourite among architects and designers who seek not just a material, but an experience of nature within architecture.
Order a Vals Quartzite sample directly from our webshop and explore its character at home.
