WHAT MAKES A BEAUTIFUL GRANITE COUNTERTOP?
Slabs of granite are as individual as our fingerprints. Often times, there are veins and natural markings that give a slab of granite a unique look. The selection of granite slabs for your countertops is much like when a buyer is going to purchase a diamond. Apart from karat weight, the buyer needs to look at the cut, clarity, and color of the gemstone before making a decision on which stone to purchase. When selecting granite for a countertop, there are a number of key factors to look for in the slabs you choose: the hardness of the stone, the color, and crystal pattern. For all stones, there is the Mohs Hardn
ess Scale which is used by geologists and gemologists to determine the hardness of stones with a grading of 1 to 10. 1 reflects the softest stone such as talc, and 10 reflects the hardest stone such as diamond. Simply put, granite is an intrusive igneous rock formation with a composition of mainly quartz and feldspar with minor amounts of mica, amphiboles, and other minerals (Geology.com/Rocks/Igneous Rocks). Granite is a 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, making it a hardworking surface for all of your household needs.
When looking at granite countertops, a buyer also considers edging which is more of a personal preference and budgeting consideration. However, the color sets the scheme of the room. Granite comes in a myriad of colors, which is determined by the cooling rate of the molten rock, the mixture of minerals in the stone, and other factors that affect the crystallization pattern.
The crystallization patterns give granite its sparkle and unique designs. One buyer might want a more subtle pattern, whereas another buyer might want a far more busier pattern. Whichever your design style, granite countertops are a timeless classic that will serve anyone well in the busiest of households.
