Kashmir White, the light grey / white granite was once one of the most popular granite’s worldwide and certainly the most popular granite for a white option. You may not have a clue what it looks like but if you have ever ventured inside an airport or shopping mall then at some point you have walked on it or washed your hands in a vanity top made of it.
When I first started in the natural stone industry over a decade ago it was extremely popular and relatively cost effective, now it has all but disappeared and if any company does have stock it is sold at a premium rate. I haven’t found any for at least 3 years, so what happened to Kashmir White?
Kashmir White does not actually originate from Kashmir, it is in fact quarried in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
Unfortunately as in many parts of India in Tamil corruption is rife and the scandal which has halted all production of Kashmir white involves countless stone companies in the area. Over 23 properties of quarry owners, businessmen and state officials have been raided and over 15 fake shell companies have been discovered whilst government officials work to untangle a web of fraud and tax evasion which seems to span back for many years.
It’s a sorry state of affairs for the masons and workers who’s communities relied on those quarries for their main source of income and has undoubtedly contributed to further immigration of workers from the southern states of India to regions such as the GCC as these people search for a new source of income to support themselves and their families.
This all happened in 2012 and as I write this post at the end of 2015 there are no signs that Kashmir White quarries will resume their operations any time in near future. The material is still there and hopefully one day and in our lifetime we will see a return for Kashmir White.
