Why Granite?
As you can see our real granite is harder than a cutting knife while manmade granite means that you will be taking a chance cutting the surface. Watch our 'Cutting Test' video below to see what we mean!
"Because of the hardness of minerals that make up granite, it requires diamonds along with water to cut and polish granite."
The Hard Facts
". . . It's 53 million years old already. It should last you a lifetime . . ."
- On a hardness scale (Moh's relative scale) of 1 to 10 (talc at 1, a penny at 3, a knife at 5.5, glass at 6, and a diamond at 10) most granite is rated between 6 and 7.
- Because of the hardness of minerals that make up granite, it requires diamonds along with water to cut and polish granite.
- Polishing the surface enhances the colors and texture of granite. It results in a material with a high luster along with depth.
- Depth is a unique quality that natural stone materials possess; something that man-made granite cannot duplicate.
- High temperatures, such as cigarettes and hot pans, will not affect a polished or rough granite finish.
- Granite lasts for centuries.
- Minerals from the feldspar group provide the different background colors.
- The feldspar group makes up more than 60% of the Earth's upper crust.
- Minerals from the mica group are usually distributed evenly or as tight accumulations throughout the granite
- Several minerals from other related mineral groups provide the small amount of color in granite.
- These minerals provide granite with its excellent wearing properties. Thus it makes granite a more durable material than most man-made materials.
- Granite is a very scratch resistant and durable material.
- All stone is porous, much like our skin. This is nature's way of allowing stone to "breathe" and clean itself.
- All stone should have an impregnator "sealer" applied after installation. An impregnator attaches itself to the pore of the stone and allows the stone to resist moisture and stains while allowing the stone to "breathe" and release moisture.
- Granite, like other natural stones, is not combustible so it is an excellent choice to have if you place hot pans on it.
