What is Granite Anyway?

Granite has long been a widely used surface in homes and businesses. You can find granite surfaces in kitchens, tables, bathrooms and fireplaces inside and outside.

It is granite’s amazing versatility that allows it to carry any space with poise and grandeur. Granite can very literally increase and home or business’s value.

However, little people know much about granite, its plethora of options and its upkeep.

What is Granite?
Granite is a natural rock that is found all over the world. It is mined and sold as slabs ready for businesses like Emerald Pearl to cut and install in homes and businesses. Granite is coarse grained and includes many different minerals. The majority of the granite we have at Emerald Pearl is mined from India, Brazil and Italy.
Granite’s Variety:
Granite’s varying material make-up is what makes it so versatile when it comes to the colors and patterns. Granite can come in light colors like Colonial White and dark colors like Black Galaxy. It also comes speckled, vein-y or both. It is important to look at the entire slab before making a decision because the sample you have may not be what you get. Additionally, many people do not know is that granite often comes with different textures like polished, honed or leathered.
Types of finishes:
1. Leathered Granite: is granite with a matte, textured appearance. It often keeps its dense finish making it less susceptible to stains and scratches.
2. Honed Granite: is granite that is processed in every way like polished granite but in the end does not get buffed. It is slightly more susceptible to staining than the leathered finish. It is also slightly less textured that leathered.
3. Polished Granite: Buffed and polished for a shiny, reflective finish. This is the most common type of finish.
Up Keep:
Granite has very little up keep. A simple sealing when we install lasts up to 15 years. Sealing your granite countertops keeps it from changing colors, scratching and staining. At Emerald Pearl sealing countertops after installation is a complimentary gift for allowing us to provide you our services. Visit our FAQs page for more information on up keep.