Granite vs. Other Countertop Choices
Granite is the most durable countertop available. According to scientific theory (the Marble Institute of America), the newest piece of granite on the planet is
almost 750 million years old... so old that granite's durability isn't measured in years - it's measured in eons. No man-made product can match the natural
beauty of real stone - the colors are extremely vivid and the look is very rich. The shine of natural stone is not the result of an applied finish - it comes from
polishing with diamond abrasives, and polished granite will keep its high gloss virtually forever.
The durability of granite makes it a more "cost effective" option - in short, it will retain its beauty and hold its value longer than any other countertop.
Granite is the most durable countertop available. According to scientific theory (the Marble Institute of America), the newest piece of granite on the planet is
almost 750 million years old... so old that granite's durability isn't measured in years - it's measured in eons. No man-made product can match the natural
beauty of real stone - the colors are extremely vivid and the look is very rich. The shine of natural stone is not the result of an applied finish - it comes from
polishing with diamond abrasives, and polished granite will keep its high gloss virtually forever.
The durability of granite makes it a more "cost effective" option - in short, it will retain its beauty and hold its value longer than any other countertop.
| Showroom hours: Mon.- Fri.: 7:30 am - 6:00 pm Saturday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm After hour appointments available |
Origins & Sources of Granite
Granite is believed to have been formed as long as 300 million years ago. It began as a mass of molten rock, estimated at 1300 to 1400° F, formed by
volcanic activity about 11 or 12 miles below the Earth’s surface. Forces of nature caused the magma to gradually rise to the surface where it began to cool
very slowly over the next million years or so, solidifying into granite.
Over time, the land above it eroded, leaving a scattering of granite quarries all over the world. Aside from the traditional sources, such as Italy, USA, and
Canada, popular granite producing areas now include India, China, many African nations, much of mountainous South America, and the northern European
countries.
Granite is composed primarily of feldspar, quartz, and mica. It may also contain hints of muscovite, biotite, hornblende, and pyroxene and other minerals.
These minerals are what give it its various colors. The white mineral grains in granite are feldspar, our planet’s most abundant rock, which makes up about
60% of the earth’s surface. The light gray, glass-like veins are quartz, and the black, flake-like veins are biotite or black mica.
Other minerals imbue the stone with a rainbow of colors, depending on their source, and these varieties are often given unique names. One coarse grained
type, for example, is called pegmatite, which is often rich in rare elements such as uranium, tungsten, and tantalum.
Granite is drilled and blasted from the quarry in large blocks, cut into slabs by a gang saw, and polished to uniform thickness by automatic polishing machines.
Many slabs are coated with a resin prior to polish to fill any pores or fissures. The size of the slabs will vary from quarry to quarry, but are rarely more than 10
feet long and six feet tall. It is cut and fabricated into countertops using diamond saw blades and bits.
Granite is believed to have been formed as long as 300 million years ago. It began as a mass of molten rock, estimated at 1300 to 1400° F, formed by
volcanic activity about 11 or 12 miles below the Earth’s surface. Forces of nature caused the magma to gradually rise to the surface where it began to cool
very slowly over the next million years or so, solidifying into granite.
Over time, the land above it eroded, leaving a scattering of granite quarries all over the world. Aside from the traditional sources, such as Italy, USA, and
Canada, popular granite producing areas now include India, China, many African nations, much of mountainous South America, and the northern European
countries.
Granite is composed primarily of feldspar, quartz, and mica. It may also contain hints of muscovite, biotite, hornblende, and pyroxene and other minerals.
These minerals are what give it its various colors. The white mineral grains in granite are feldspar, our planet’s most abundant rock, which makes up about
60% of the earth’s surface. The light gray, glass-like veins are quartz, and the black, flake-like veins are biotite or black mica.
Other minerals imbue the stone with a rainbow of colors, depending on their source, and these varieties are often given unique names. One coarse grained
type, for example, is called pegmatite, which is often rich in rare elements such as uranium, tungsten, and tantalum.
Granite is drilled and blasted from the quarry in large blocks, cut into slabs by a gang saw, and polished to uniform thickness by automatic polishing machines.
Many slabs are coated with a resin prior to polish to fill any pores or fissures. The size of the slabs will vary from quarry to quarry, but are rarely more than 10
feet long and six feet tall. It is cut and fabricated into countertops using diamond saw blades and bits.
Granite Gallery recommends granite from
Pental Granite & Marble in Seattle, Fife
and Portland, and Cosmos Granite &
Marble in Fife.
Pental is one of the largest granite, stone and
tile distributors in the Northwest. They have
excellent customer service and quality product.
Their staff will be happy to assist you in selecting
your stone or tile when you visit one of there
three showrooms.
Cosmos is a major importer and wholesale
supplier of quality natural stone for commercial
and residential building projects. The staff at
Cosmos will be happy to assist you in selecting
stone at their Fife showroom.
Pental Granite & Marble in Seattle, Fife
and Portland, and Cosmos Granite &
Marble in Fife.
Pental is one of the largest granite, stone and
tile distributors in the Northwest. They have
excellent customer service and quality product.
Their staff will be happy to assist you in selecting
your stone or tile when you visit one of there
three showrooms.
Cosmos is a major importer and wholesale
supplier of quality natural stone for commercial
and residential building projects. The staff at
Cosmos will be happy to assist you in selecting
stone at their Fife showroom.
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| 711 Tumwater Blvd. SW Tumwater, WA 98501 360.753.3522 / fax 360.357.4139 info@granitegallery.net |
| About Granite |