Iranian green marble has dazzled the world at the United Nations General Assembly.
Hamshahri newspaper reports that while world leaders take the UN podium, even briefly, one striking detail often goes unnoticed: the green marble adorning the podium is Iranian. These stones not only enhance the building’s visual grandeur but also showcase treasures from Iran’s mines that have reached prominent sites worldwide.
This remarkable craftsmanship is closely tied to the late Abolqasem Sartipi, renowned as the “Father of Iranian Stone,” who recounted how Iranian marble was sent to prestigious destinations, including the United Nations, the Kremlin in Moscow, and the Louvre Museum.
Iranian Green Marble at the United Nations
“All the documentation exists,” Sartipi often emphasized, underlining the presence of Iranian marble in iconic buildings worldwide. The green marble of the UN General Assembly Hall, often called the “UN Green” by industry insiders, comes from mines in provinces like Isfahan and South Khorasan. Its elegant presence not only enhances the hall—where world leaders deliver speeches—but also conveys a sense of peace.
From the Kremlin to the Louvre
Iranian marble has also adorned landmarks like the Kremlin and the Louvre, according to Sartipi, Iran’s famed stone exporter. Reflecting on his work, he said, “Like a mountaineer aiming for the summit, my goal was to reach these cities. I traveled abroad 256 times for stone exports.”
The significance of these buildings highlights Sartipi’s legacy. The Kremlin, with its fortified walls and towers, symbolizes Russian power and history, its marble façades reflecting classical grandeur and royal elegance. The Louvre, with its monumental glass and marble exterior, houses the art and history of the world. While the exact Iranian stones used in the Louvre’s restorations remain uncertain, their influence on these landmarks is undeniable.
Use of Iranian Stone in Global Restorations
Although the Louvre and the Kremlin are over a century old, Iranian stone was not part of their original construction. During later restorations, however, select areas were adorned with Iranian marble. In an interview with the Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Abolqasem Sartipi described how Iranian stone has been used in many prominent buildings around the world, including these iconic landmarks.
Sartipi’s story illustrates how an Iranian left a lasting mark internationally. Born in 1946 in Khomeini Shahr, Isfahan, he entered the stone industry in the 1970s and became a leading figure. He pioneered the export of stone in standardized packaging and shipped his products to over 23 countries, including the U.S., France, and Russia.
