GRANITE
Igneous rock is formed by volcanic action or intense heat, which liquefies rock deep in the Earth and which solidifies upon cooling. Granite, the most common igneous rock, is millions of years old and has a crystalline, granular structure, with a range of colors and consisting mostly of quartz and feldspars, accompanied by one or more dark minerals such as mica. The color of igneous rock depends mainly on the color of the prevailing feldspars. The granite offered for residential and commercial applications comes from open pit quarries found all over the world. There is a large assortment of granites available to suit specific tastes or design applications, ranging from consistent grain structures and colors to multicolored stones with veins or movement resulting from the uneven distribution of minerals. "Consistency", when applied to natural stone, is a term of relative value that needs to be understood in the context of the origins and composition of the product. Because of the way granite was formed millions of years ago, it is synonymous with quality, strength, permanence, solidity and hardness. These characteristics make it an ideal choice for a kitchen countertop surface.

Most granite used for countertops is polished to a high-gloss finish giving it a mirror-like appearance. On closer inspection however, many granites have certain natural characteristics such as "pitting", "fissures" or "dull spots" that may at first cause some concern. It is important to understand the geological reasons for these characteristics to fully appreciate the beauty of stone.

A characteristic referred to as "pitting" is normally due to the fact that granite is a natural product that has a crystalline structure, sometimes resulting in small spaces between the varying mineral crystals. In some cases, certain tiny crystals may also be removed during the polishing process, causing the pits to become more visible. Various steps are taken during the finishing process to reduce the visibility of these pits, but they cannot be totally avoided in all granite types. Pitting will not become worse with regular use or with the passage of time.

Many types of granite have small "fissures" or hairline cracks on the surface of the slab, usually more visible in the larger quartz crystals. These surface fissures should not be confused with structural cracks that permeate the entire slab. Fissures are a natural result of the heating and cooling of the stone during its formation millions of years ago. Fissures will not grow or expand over time.

The final appearance of the polished surface of each type of granite is determined by the specific composition or "mix" of quartz, feldspars and other minerals. While the overall appearance will be that of a high-gloss finish, some components within the granite may not accept the same level of polish as the rest of the crystals, which can result in "dull spots" or "watermarks." Often these spots are visible on the darker crystals present in some granites. The hardness, composition and any other characteristics are taken into account during the polishing process and all efforts are made to achieve the highest level of gloss possible for each specific material.

While the type and specific composition determines the amount of pits, fissures and dull spots, some granites exhibit these characteristics more than others, and they may also be more or less visible depending on the lighting conditions present in a room. Lighting plays an important part in the overall appearance of a finished granite countertop surface.

Pits, fissures and dull spots do not compromise the integrity of the stone in any way; they are natural characteristics of stone and will not impair the function or durability of the material. They are an expression of nature and add to the allure of the stone, which sets it apart from man-made surfaces.

MARBLE
Marble is formed from the re-crystallization of limestone under intense pressure and high temperatures within the Earth. During this process, other minerals are introduced into the structure, which produce the beautiful colors and veining that characterize marble. Its color varies from white to black, being sometimes yellow, red and green, and frequently beautifully veined or clouded.

Marble used for countertops have either a polished or silk finish and provide a cool, sophisticated ambiance to any kitchen. Due to the natural characteristics of these stones, marble countertops require some special care and maintenance. Your marble countertop will be sealed after installation and a sealer should be applied annually. With marble, there is always a possibility of scratching and staining, as the stone is not as hard as a granite surface. Polished marble is especially susceptible to acids and any spills should be immediately cleaned up. Should a stain occur, it can usually be removed with a stain-removing poultice. Marble should be cared for as you would a fine wood finish. Using coasters, and cleaning up spills immediately, will help preserve its beauty. After regular use, your marble countertop will develop its own unique patina and personality.

SOAPSTONE
Soapstone is composed largely of talc, which gives it the soapy feel, as well as chlorite, dolomite and magnetite. It is very dense and inert to acids and alkalis, making it a good countertop surface. Freshly quarried soapstone is light gray in color with some spots and patterning, and occasional light or dark veins. Your soapstone countertop will be oiled liberally with pure, clear mineral oil after installation. The oil should be allowed to sit for about an hour, and then the excess wiped off with a cloth. You should repeat this process weekly for a few months, decreasing the frequency to once a month and ultimately to three or four times a year as the stone remains naturally darker between oiling. This darkening also enhances the natural features and variations in the stone and it will eventually develop a rich deep patina. Though soapstone scratches easily, the scratches become quickly invisible with oiling, or use 80 grit sandpaper, if necessary, followed by an oily cloth.

QUARTZ
Quartz-based stones vary widely in color because of different materials and clays within the stone. These stones can be found in varying hues of light gray, yellow, green and red. It is suitable for countertops and will be sealed after installation, with annual sealing recommended.

LIMESTONE
Limestone consists mainly of calcium carbonate deposited by the remains of marine animals, or carbonate of lime. It sometimes contains magnesium carbonate, and is then called dolomitic limestone. When used for countertops, it is highly recommended to use only dolomitic limestones, such as the ones offered by the Home Depot, as these are harder and can be polished. Domestic limestones are gray to buff in color, but imported limestones are available in colors ranging from light beige to dark brown, red and black. As with marble surfaces, some special care and maintenance is required with limestone countertops. Your countertop will be sealed after installation, and an annual application of a sealer is highly recommended thereafter.

BASALT
Basalt is the most common type of solidified lava. It often has a glassy appearance and is offered in a silk finish for countertops. Due to its volcanic origins, the stone has voids that are filled during the finishing process, which gives the stone a smooth, even texture. Like other stones, your Basalt countertop will be sealed after installation and it is recommended that you reseal your countertop annually to maintain its beauty.

SCHIST
Stones classified as schists are any medium-grained to coarse-grained metamorphic rocks composed of laminated, often flaky parallel layers of chiefly micaceous minerals. Schist is a very dense and hard surface, suitable for countertops. It is a contemporary and sophisticated material that is light gray in color with white veining. It will be sealed after installation and it is suggested that you seal it at least annually thereafter.

SERPENTINE
Serpentine is a mineral rock consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of magnesia. It is generally a dark green color, often with a spotted or mottled appearance resembling a serpent's skin, and veins of white, light green or black. Although it is often considered commercially as a marble because it can be polished, serpentine is not sensitive to citric acid and other kitchen spills.

SANDSTONE
Sandstone is composed mostly of mineral and rock fragments within the sand size of silica, iron oxides, carbonates or clay.