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Heat resistance is one of the most important factors homeowners consider when choosing kitchen countertops. If you cook frequently, you’ve probably asked: “What countertops can you put hot pans on?”
Quartz countertops come in various colors and styles which give you freedom of choice. Landmark Surfaces prepared a list of 21 popular quartz countertop colors.
Stone countertops are always popular for their timeless beauty and character in all living spaces, including commercial spaces. Although the common assumption is that easy-maintenance engineered stones, like quartz, are more prevalent in commercial places, natural stone countertops such as granite and marble have always been one of the most admired surface options.
This article discusses why and how natural stones like granite or quartzite countertops make great surface decor in commercial spaces. We will make it clear by highlighting the trends in commercial spaces and the benefits of natural stones in terms of functionality and aesthetic beauty.
Technically, stone countertops include both natural and engineered stones. But in the industry, when they say a stone countertop, they generally refer to natural stones. Some common natural stones are these:
Commercial spaces differ from residential spaces. Our homes have rules that can reflect our personalities to the fullest. However, in a commercial setting, your design should follow certain limitations and requirements.
Depending on the type of commercial space, the countertop you use should be aesthetically appealing if it is a reception desk. If it is a restaurant or bar top, your countertop should be a durable and low-maintenance one without compromising sanitation. However, you can decide what is more important to you in your home.
For many people, ease of cleaning is the only concern in commercial spaces, and thus, quartz countertops should be the only option in these settings. However, elegance and uniqueness are to be factored in, too. So, natural stones come with numerous benefits for aesthetically and functionally commercial settings. Here are the most remarkable advantages of natural stone countertops in commercial spaces:
Long-lasting service life is typical of natural stones. Stones like marble and granite can withstand heavy use and high traffic in commercial settings. They are also resistant to heat and staining. If you are worried about the risk of scratches on the marble, consider granite, which is highly resistant to scratches.
In most commercial places, there is a desired atmosphere to be created. Natural stones like marble or granite can help you with this quickly. Thanks to the variety of patterns and colors, and unique characters that each slab adds to the design, natural stones are perfect for any commercial space.
Some commercial places try to cut down on the costs during a renovation by choosing a cheap countertop instead of natural stones. However, a good quality natural stone makes a smart investment and increases the price of the commercial property.
Deciding that you need to buy a natural stone countertop for your commercial space doesn’t mean that you are done with it. Once you choose to buy a natural stone slab, you must know what natural stone you should buy. Here is a short list of the things to be considered before purchasing a natural stone.
There are numerous stone countertops, such as marble, granite, soapstone…etc. So, you should pick the right one for your commercial place.
Maintenance shouldn’t be your only concern, but it should still be factored into your countertop purchase.
We all want the best countertop for our homes and commercial spaces. However, you don’t want to ruin your financial balance by buying a countertop for your place.
Landmark Surfaces offers various natural stones, including the best marbles, granites, soapstone, and quartzites. Depending on your business type, we help you find the best countertop for your commercial space.
Our expert team guides you through the maintenance routines, technical specifications, and all other details you would like to know about commercial space countertops. Visit one of our stores in Virginia or contact us online to explore our excellent products and services.
Silestone launched the HybriQ technology in 2020, and everything has changed in the world of quartz countertops since then. The HybriQ technology is revolutionary as it blends high-quality minerals with recycled materials.
Thanks to this innovative technology, Silestone slabs are a more sustainable option without compromising outstanding performance and stunning beauty. Let’s take a look at the key features that HybirQ technology has brought to the products.
Silestone’s HybriQ technology is a big step towards a more sustainable environment while offering high-quality materials to homeowners. Here are some of the most prominent features of it:
Crystalline Silica can be very dangerous for health, especially during the production process of the engineered stones. The HybriQ technology reduces the amount of silica by up to 90%. It is a great leap in terms of health.
Engineered quartz slabs produced by Silestone contain at least 20% of recycled material. Adopting HybirQ technology, they can integrate recycled glass into the countertop manufacturing. It promotes a circular economy while saving the environment.
Energy is the key for all industries. With HybriQ technology, Cosentino, the manufacturer of Silestone products, uses recycled water and 100% renewable energy. Thus, they leave a minimum environmental footprint.
HybriQ technology reformulates the production process of Silestone products. However, it still retains the typical strength and durability of the engineered stones. A lot of people prefer engineered stones on account of their incredible strength and durability.
Silestone products are made by the company Cosentino. They produce tons of countertops and sell them through distributors and dealers worldwide. So, you can find HybriQ technology slabs at some local stores in your town. You can search for the dealers or shops online, too.
If you live in Virginia, Maryland, or DC, you are lucky. Landmark Surfaces offers you some of the best Silestone countertops for your kitchens and bathrooms. You can visit one of our stores and see and touch beautiful HybriQ surface options.
Landmark Surfaces offers a large scale of natural and engineered stones of various brands. So, you can find many other countertop options in addition to Silestone. For example, Cosentino Dekton, Cambria Quartz, MSI Quartz, and Infinity Porcelain slabs are just some of the alternatives you might be interested in at Landmark Surfaces.
Just visit us today and meet our excellent team. They are ready to answer all your questions about countertops. You can also contact us via our website or telephone.
Silestone offers inherent quality and amazing functional attributes whatever your design is. However, it is particularly a great surface material for those who love minimalist design in their interiors. It is distinctive with its modern and clean colors so that you can create uncluttered and sleek spaces.
In this post, we are exploring how Silestone helps you achieve minimalist design. But first, we will explain why minimalist design is good, and then see in what ways it contributes to minimalism in your home.
Minimalist design is marked by its simplicity, focus on essentials, and of course, clean lines. Such basic characteristics make minimalism popular among homeowners. In fact, many homeowners love minimal design for its psychological, practical, and aesthetic benefits. Let’s have a closer look at them:
Minimalist design can help your mental well-being as it …
Minimalist design offers you an immense practicality which translates into great savings. For example, if you opt for a minimal design…
Minimalist design can be sheer beauty for some homeowners. They think that the minimal design in their interior…
All in all, minimalist design offers numerous advantages to please homeowners in terms of aesthetics, functionality, and efficiency.
Silestone comes with several inherent qualities which allows it to integrate into the minimalist design seamlessly. One can find a lot of aesthetic and functional reasons for loving the surfaces as part of their minimalist design. Here are a few key features of how this stone contributes to minimalist designs:
Silestone offers consistent colors and finishes that create an uninterrupted and seamless look. This is one of the most essential features of minimalist design.
The minimalist design aims to create a simple but long-lasting living space. Thus, Silestone’s exceptional durability
Since Silestone surfaces are resistant to scratches, bacteria, and staining, it is easy to care. Therefore, lovers of minimal design love it , too.
This products can be used for many purposes including countertops, wall cladding, floors, or backsplashes. It helps the followers of minimal design who want to create cohesive looks in their homes.
White and grey color options, which create air and a clean feel, are very common in Silestone products. Moreover, a minimalist design lover can find a wide range of solid and neutral color options to complement various minimal color schemes.
Here are a few specific examples of Silestone that can work for minimal designs:
Landmark Products, located in Chantilly, Fredericksburg, and Alexandria, offers the best Silestone products in Virginia, US.
When you visit one of our showrooms, you will find not only the best Silestone surfaces but also some good advice and design ideas. Our expert and experienced staff is always ready to help you with your home. We believe that any home can make a beautiful living space as long as you get proper products along with proper service.
If you are fond of minimalist design and willing to make the most of your home in terms of functionality and aesthetic beauty, visit Landmark Surfaces today!
Choosing the right countertop is crucial in kitchen design or remodeling projects. A good countertop defines functionality and serves as an alluring focal point that guides the overall design of a Quartzite for kitchen.
Quartzite for kitchen countertops stands as a compelling option for those seeking functionality and aesthetics embodied in a natural stone. In this post, we are going to explore quartzite countertops and how they take kitchens to the next level. You can also find some practical maintenance tips, a few designer picks of quartzite slabs, and design tips.
Quartzite is a natural stone mainly used for countertops. It is formed by sandstones undergoing heat and pressure under the Earth. Quartzite stones are quarried in different parts of the world and cut to the desired dimensions. The surface is treated with special materials to add smoothness and shine, and the edges and corners are shaped.
Some people confuse Quartzite for kitchen with quartz. However, there is a big difference; quartzite is a natural stone while quartz is an engineered stone. So, quartzite offers you a unique natural look while quartz can come in a wide range of colors and patterns.
Quartzite stones are reputable for their enduring style, unique color scheme, and inherent strength. However, there are other natural and engineered slabs offering similar perks as quartzite. Let’s look at why so many people are attracted to quartzite anyway.
Natural countertop materials like granite and marble are quite common as kitchen countertop materials. They are usually used for their classic elegance. Quartzite, on the other hand, is different as it adds a touch of modernism without compromising the elegant look. The translucent look, which adds glow and depth, is usually the most remarkable draw of quartzite countertops.
Veining on a quartzite slab is similar to that of a marble, but quartzite stones offer a calmer and softer style. Unlike the bold and speckled patterns on granite or quartz slabs, quartzite countertops have lighter hues, which makes the kitchen look more spacious.
Finally, for some homeowners, background consistency is an important factor when choosing a kitchen countertop. Granite stones offer unique patterns and colors, but they don’t offer background consistency as much as quartzite stones. Thus, quartzite stones look clean and uniform in comparison.
Quartzite stones offer several benefits in terms of performance and functionality. One of the most remarkable performance perks of quartzite stones is, of course, incredible hardness and strength. Pressed under the Earth for many years, quartzite stones are super hard, and they make a very durable and resilient countertop material.
Quartzite stones are also heat and stain-resistant. Homeowners feel more secure putting hot pans or pots on their quartzite countertops compared to other materials. Stain resistance is another reason why quartzite is superior. Although the surface is slightly porous, it is still more resistant to staining than marble or granite countertops. If you consider sealing a quartzite countertop, you can have a completely non-porous kitchen countertop, which repels the liquids and stains away.
As for the maintenance, quartzite countertops are great. They require minimal upkeep. If you clean it regularly, your quartzite countertop can serve for many years to come. You can also consider sealing the surface periodically to keep the shine and stain resistance for a lifetime. Moreover, the enduring and timeless beauty through sealing costs a very small amount of money.
Quartzite stones are gaining worldwide popularity these days. Their visual appeal is one of the greatest factors that homeowners consider when it comes to choosing a kitchen countertop for their home.
As you might already know, visual appeal greatly depends on the overall composition of the décor in a room or house. Here are some décor ideas with three of the most beautiful quartzite slabs.
Sea Pearl is a luminous and smooth quartzite stone that can easily evoke a sense of serenity and elegance. It goes well with white or light gray cabinets. If you are into coastal interior, Sea Pearl Quartzite is for you.
Smoky Quartzite is a perfect décor element for those who love dramatic designs. The gray and black tones make it a perfect countertop option if you like a sophisticated look with great versatility. Countertops like Smoky Quartzite look amazing with charcoal gray cabinetry, warm wood accents, and stainless steel appliances.
Taj Mahal Quartzite is reputable for its soft creamy surface. It can complement a wide range of kitchen design styles. The grounded feel and sense of sophistication make Taj Mahal Quartzite an excellent choice for kitchens. You can create a fantastic contrast using dark wood cabinets and brass hardware. Your Taj Mahal countertop will accentuate itself and the rest of the décor.
If you are looking for quartzite countertops in Maryland, US, you should definitely visit Landmark Surfaces. Landmark offers the best quality, a wide range of options, and highly competitive prices to its customers. You can find a lot of natural and engineered stones for your kitchen, bathroom, walls, floor, poolside…etc. Get in touch with Landmark Surfaces before starting any home remodeling project.
MSI Quartz Stones:
MSI, headquartered in California, US, is the largest distributor in the industry with a wide range of products, including quartz, porcelain, granite, mosaic tiles, and so on. However, the company is especially known for its quartz products. They produce durable and easy-maintenance quartz stones and send them to a lot of countries across the world. Homeowners prefer MSI products for many reasons, including a wide range of color options, affordability, and easy care and maintenance requirements. In this blog post, you will learn everything about MSI quartz stones.
MSI offers numerous solutions for home and commercial settings. A lot of dealers across the US provide their customers with MSI products. Although MSI is reputable for quartz MSI quartz slabs, there are other materials offered by MSI. Here are some outstanding products listed for you:
Quartz Slabs: Quartz slabs are one of the most common products offered by MSI. Buyers use these large slabs for various purposes, such as kitchen countertops, bathroom vanity tops, accent walls, or backsplashes.
Prefabricated Quartz Countertops: Prefabricated slabs come in standard sizes, and they have standard edges. As they are ready-to-install Quartz slabs, they are perfect for quick installations.
Quartz Tiles: MSI Quartz tiles are ideal for bathroom walls, kitchen backsplashes, and bathroom floors. They are sleek and durable with little ton o maintenance.
Q Premium is a special collection offered by MSI. The products are of the highest technology without compromising the beauty, durability, and affordability. Here are some captivating Q Premium Quartz products made for different purposes:
LumaLuxe: It is an exciting technology for those in love with ultra-bright surfaces. Kitchen lights create beautiful reflections on countertops.
Q Studio Collection: This collection is perfect for those looking for innovative colors and patterns on their slabs.
Warm Q Looks: Warm Q collection offers some of the best quartz countertops in warm tones. Warm tones go well with both traditional and modern kitchen and bathroom designs.
Marble Look Quartz: Being engineered stones, quartz slabs come with obvious advantages. However, some homeowners still want to have the look and feel of natural stones like marble. MSI offers high-quality quartz countertops that look like marble.
Concrete & Matte Looks: This is a special collection for those who love matte look rather than bright slabs. You can find stunning Quartz slabs with striking black and gray tones in this collection.
Q White Quartz Collection: Q White Quartz is another style-specific collection offered by MSI. Timeless and classic white quartz options.
MSI listens to you and increases its product diversity to provide anything you might need during a home building or renovation. Here is a list of some products that MSI offers in addition to engineered and natural stones:
Quartz countertops are made of natural quartz pieces and resin additives. Depending on the technology and raw material used in the fabrication process, the quality of the quartz slabs can vary. MSI produces the highest quality quartz slabs for you. Here are the most distinctive advantages of MSI quartz:
MSI quartz countertops are incredibly hard, non-porous, and durable. They don’t require vigorous maintenance or cleaning routines such as polishing, sealing, refacing, oiling..etc.
Nevertheless, avoid putting hot pans on your countertop. Use trivets and hot pads to save the surface from extreme heat. Also, make sure you wipe the spills away immediately. Although MSI quartz slabs are non-porous, certain chemicals can lead to dulling of the surface in time, and thus, staining.
MSI is always seeking to enhance the product and service quality. To this end, innovation is highly important for the company. Thanks to cutting-edge technology and dedicated engineering, MSI Quartz Stones offer some of the coolest and strongest surface technologies in the market.
One distinctive example is the LumaLux. LumaLuxe is an exclusive technology that allows buyers to enjoy incredible depth in colors and light on the slab surface. LumaLuxe technology is an excellent way to add luxury to home and commercial settings.
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If you have ever been interested in countertops, you must have already heard about Cambria® stone. It is one of the most popular quartz stone brands on the market. Even if you are not planning to get a quartz countertop at all, this beautiful countertop stone could sway you to quartz stones.
But what makes Cambria in quartz stones so special? Why are they so popular? In this blog post, you will find decent answers to these and many other fundamental questions about Cambria stones.
Cambria is a luxurious quartz stone brand. Though quartz stones are already luxurious and generally expensive, Cambria is even a higher-end brand with regard to its beautiful look and incredibly durable composition. The use of Cambria quartz is not limited to countertops. You can see it on many other surfaces like floor tiles, backsplashes, vanity tops…etc.
Cambria stones consist of natural, pure quartz with the addition of binders and pigments. Quartz is a very hard natural material, and it is a very common mineral on the Earth. Therefore, some patterns and colors on the quartz surfaces can look naturally like granite or marble stone. Such visual effects are possible with quartz during the manufacturing process. So, you can see various natural or abstract patterns and color schemes on Cambria quartz surfaces.
Actually, it is an engineered stone. About 90% of Cambria quartz stone is composed of natural quartz. In order to bind quartz minerals together, they use special binders. Also, in order to give the stone different colors and patterns, they make use of various pigments during the manufacturing steps.
High-quality additives and natural quartz minerals are combined in the Cambria processing facility, and the product at the end of the procedure is a very hard, durable, nonporous, non-absorbent, and strong stone.
A wide range of use areas is another factor leading Cambria to be one of the most demanded products on the market. Although it is highly popular as a countertop option, you can see Cambria quartz as bathroom surrounds, vanity tops, fireplace surrounds, wet bar areas, or even windowsills. To make a long story short, wherever you need a durable, aesthetic, and nonporous surface, you can see Cambria.
When it comes to stone surfaces, apparently there are numerous alternatives. Many people choose quartz among various alternatives, and among different quartz brands, they choose Cambria quartz. But why? The thing is there are certain advantages of Cambria quartz over other surface stone alternatives.
Cambria quartz is available in 200+ design alternatives. You can find unique Cambria stone colors and patterns among a wide range of models as well as the classical designs looking like natural granite or marble stones. Since it is an engineered stone, you can be sure you will find the “beauty” among Cambria models.
Another advantage of being an engineered stone is that quartz stones are harder than even granite or marble. Cambria quartz is one of the best examples of it. The hardness of these stones will remind you of that of a diamond.
Cambria surfaces are NSF 51 certified, which means they don’t do harm to the food it contacts. In addition, its nonabsorbent surface doesn’t allow bacteria to settle on your countertops or backsplashes. The nonporous and nonabsorbent structure of Cambria quartz will keep you and your loved ones safe.
Unlike granite or marble stones, you don’t have to seal or polish the quartz stones due to their nonporous surfaces. It also brings along the advantage of easy cleaning. You can simply clean the Cambria surface with a little bit of warm water.
As mentioned above, a Cambria countertop is nonporous and nonabsorbent, which means no stain can leak beneath the stone surface. Thus, if you spill coffee, tea, or any other liquid, the stain will stay on the surface rather than penetrate into the stone.
Cambria offers you a lifetime warranty against any defect or damage. You can easily submit a claim by calling them. Though it is rare to see any defect or damage, it feels much better to enjoy your quartz stone with confidence anyway.
Many homeowners prefer Cambria because of its high quality and lifetime warranty. Therefore, Cambria stone price usually becomes of secondary importance for the home owners. However, you can take $60 -$130 per square foot to have an idea of the price. Of course, the price range is big since the color, pattern, and thickness can have a factor in pricing.
Whether Cambria stone is a good choice for you would be clearer if you went to see and touch it. If you are located in Virginia and interested in visiting a Cambria stone showroom in Virginia, we have a bunch of alternatives for you.
Landmark Surfaces is one of the best stores where you can take a closer look at different Cambria stone samples. You can find Landmark showrooms in Chantilly, Alexandria, and Fredericksburg.
When you visit one of the showrooms, you can also see granite countertops and marble countertops in addition to Cambria quartz stones. Therefore, it would be a good opportunity for you to compare different stone options at once.
As one of the most demanded products on the market, Cambria stone countertops are really beautiful and functional. In addition, they come in hundreds of different colors and patterns, which can make your stone unique easily. So, you can make sure you will not see the same stone in your friends’ homes.Due to their engineered properties, they offer homeowners outstanding hardness, aesthetic beauty, and incredible durability. Buying a Cambria stone could be one of the best investments you can make in your house. You can find Cambria stones in many showrooms in your town.
You can see granite countertops everywhere. But have you ever thought, “where does granite come from?”
Nature is full of wonders, and granite is one of the most amazing things that nature offers us. In this post, you will learn where granite comes from and how it comes to your home. Also, the formation and various uses of granite might surprise you. Read on!
Versatile Use: Beyond its immense popularity for kitchen countertops, granite is a staple for monuments, luxury flooring, and outdoor landscaping.
Deep Earth Origins: Granite forms from slowly cooled magma rich in quartz and feldspar deep beneath the Earth’s surface.
Global Sourcing: Major granite-producing countries include Brazil, India, China, and Italy, each offering unique colors and patterns.
Domestic Quarries: The United States has rich granite reserves, with major quarries in Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts, and other states.
The Journey: Granite slabs undergo careful extraction, diamond-wire cutting, resin treatment, polishing, and precise fabrication before arriving at your kitchen.
Granite is composed of organic minerals such as quartz, feldspar…etc. Of course, they were not solid stones touching each other many years ago but were lava under the Earth’s surface. So the minerals have crystallized slowly and become hard –but very hard- stones in various colors.
Color is another astounding detail about granite. The minerals give the granite stones mesmerizing colors. While red, pink, grey, and white are more usual, there are some rare colors like blue, green, gold, or black.
The secret behind granite’s legendary durability lies in its geological formation. Because it cools extremely slowly deep within the Earth, the mineral crystals lock together tightly, creating an incredibly dense structure.
On the Mohs hardness scale, granite ranks between 6 and 7, making it harder than steel. This high density gives the stone natural scratch resistance against everyday kitchen activities and superb heat resistance. Unlike synthetic materials, granite can withstand hot pots and pans without scorching. It is a stone forged in the fires of the Earth, built to endure for generations.
Not necessarily. Although there are many tones of white granite, granite comes in various natural colors including, black, brown, white, blue…etc. Actually, finding pure white granite is almost impossible, but there are white granites with black, gray, or brown shades on a white surface. You can find white ice granite, moon white granite, or white ice granite of this kind.
Have you ever wondered why one slab looks like a starry night while another is warm and pink? Granite’s color palette is determined entirely by its mineral composition. Here is a quick guide to what gives granite its distinct shades:
| Mineral | Color Effect on Granite |
| Quartz | Milky White, Gray, or Clear |
| Feldspar | Pink, Red, or Creamy White |
| Biotite / Mica | Dark Brown or Jet Black |
| Amphibole | Dark Green or Black |
If you want to explore the best shades for your kitchen remodeling, check out our comprehensive guide on Granite Colors to find your perfect match.
As explained above, granite was melted rock or magma once upon a time. Today, people can mine granite in different parts of the world after millions of years, along with upheavals like tectonic movements and earthquakes.
Brazil, China, Italy, and India are some of the countries where granite quarries are located. Therefore, the granite countertop you buy for your home must be coming from one of these countries. Since each country has different geographical features, the color and some other characteristics of granites vary across the quarries in those countries.
For example, blue-colored granites that are mined in Brazil are the most expensive ones. There are also white and black granites in nature. While the white ones are more expensive, black granites are relatively affordable. In fact, their availability in the quarries and demand at certain times of the year can factor in the prices of different granites.
Granite is quarried globally, but certain nations dominate the international market due to the abundance and richness of their natural stone reserves:
Because granite is a product of its specific local environment, specific regions yield world-famous varieties that homeowners seek by name:
The granite doesn’t always come from other countries. In the U.S, there are big quarries in some states like Texas, Massachusetts, Indiana, Georgia, and Wisconsin. If you ask, “where does black granite come from?” then the answer will be mostly other countries like India, Angola, or Scandinavia.
The USA has a rich history of stone quarrying. Different states are famous for specific types of stone used across the construction industry:
| State | Known For / Famous Variety |
| Georgia | Elberton Granite (The “Granite Capital of the World,” famous for uniform gray stone) |
| Texas | Pink Granite (Used to build the majestic Texas State Capitol building) |
| Massachusetts | Quincy Granite (Historically famous for dark, durable building stone) |
| Wisconsin | Red Granite (The official state rock, known for its deep red hue) |
Now that we have answered the question “where do granite countertops come from” we can talk about the journey of the granite slabs until they come to your house.
Mining the granite is just the beginning. They have a long journey before being one of the most beautiful pieces of art in your house.
First, a large block of granite is cut out of the quarry, and it is controlled to make sure there are no major fissures, cracks, or similar imperfections. If the stone is thoroughly solid and flawless, it is cut into slabs on gang saws. The period of cutting is generally slow since granite is a very hard material.
Once the bulk of stone is completely slabbed, the slabs are coated with resin fills and then put into big industrial ovens. Hence, the minor fissures or imperfections on the surface can be filled properly. Then, the slabs are polished.
After polishing, the slabs are shipped to distributors in different places. Most granite stores buy their stones from one of those distributors. They usually prefer the one closer to their location so that they pay less for shipping.
The distributors or stores check the quality and perfection of the slabs and do some polishing to make them look shinier. They cut samples and/or take photos of the slabs in different colors and patterns to show to the customers.
When you go to the store, they show you the granite countertop colors and patterns that you can use in your kitchen or bathroom. The team goes to your place, and they measure the room and the area where you need the granite.
According to your needs and expectations, they work on the project to get your confirmation. Then, using the CNC router, they cut down the big slabs into smaller sizes, and desired finishing is applied according to the project. Now your granite is ready to install.
To put this massive operation into perspective, here is the chronological step-by-step path every slab takes:
If you think the journey from the quarry to your home is long, it is nothing compared to how long it takes granite to form in nature. Granite is an ancient material. It takes millions of years of intense heat and immense geological pressure deep beneath the continental crust for magma to cool down and crystallize into the hard stone we see today.
In fact, some granite formations found on Earth today are estimated to be over 300 million to 1 billion years old! When you place your hands on a granite kitchen island, you are literally touching a piece of Earth’s ancient history.
Granite is a natural construction, decoration, and architectural material. Though granite is widely used as kitchen countertops and bathroom vanity tops, there are some other uses of it. For example, some monuments are made of granite. Also, you can see granite at luxurious places as paving stones or building veneers.
Even with dozens of new engineered materials hitting the market every year, granite remains an undisputed favorite for homeowners. It brings an unparalleled natural beauty that cannot be perfectly cloned in a factory. Granite isn’t the only premium natural stone homeowners consider. Marble is another timeless option, offering elegant veining and a luxurious appearance. If you’re deciding between these two natural materials, read our Marble vs. Granite Countertops comparison guide to compare their durability, maintenance, cost, and overall performance.
Because every block is formed by erratic geological events, every single granite slab is unique—no two kitchens will ever look exactly alike. Combine this distinct charm with a long lifespan that can easily outlast the house itself, and it’s clear why granite is still the gold standard for premium Kitchen Countertops.
Granite comes from deep within the Earth’s crust, where it forms from the slow cooling of molten magma. Over millions of years, tectonic movements and erosion push these granite formations closer to the surface, where they can be safely quarried.
Granite is formed when magma (melted underground rock) gets trapped beneath the Earth’s surface. Instead of erupting from a volcano, it cools down very slowly over millions of years, allowing large, visible mineral crystals to bind together.
Granite is an intrusive igneous rock primarily made of two essential minerals: Quartz and Feldspar. It also contains smaller amounts of other minerals like mica, biotite, and amphibole, which give the stone its distinct speckles and veins.
Brazil, India, China, and Italy are the top global producers of granite. Brazil is highly valued for its exotic color variations, while India provides some of the world’s finest dark and dense granites.
Not directly. Volcanic rocks (like basalt or obsidian) are extrusive, meaning they form from lava that cools quickly on the Earth’s surface. Granite is intrusive, meaning it forms entirely underground from magma and never erupts out of a volcano.
Granite is a 100% natural stone. It is harvested directly from nature and cut into shapes. This is different from quartz countertops, which are engineered in factories using crushed natural quartz crystals bound together with resins. Read our detailed comparison on Quartz Countertops vs. Granite to see which fits your lifestyle.
It takes millions of years for the underground magma pools to cool down completely and crystalize into solid granite stone blocks.
The United States has massive granite reserves, with major quarry operations actively located in Georgia (specifically Elberton), Texas, Massachusetts, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
Granite is highly sought after because of its incredible hardness (ranking 6-7 on the Mohs scale), scratch resistance, exceptional heat tolerance, and timeless natural beauty that engineered stones cannot perfectly replicate.
Granite comes in almost every color imaginable! While shades of gray, white, pink, and beige are the most common, you can also find gorgeous slabs of black, brown, gold, deep green, and rare, luxurious blues.
Granite is one of the most stunning gifts of nature. It takes a long way for a granite countertop to reach your home. The journey is long, but it is absolutely worth it. If you are ready to choose the perfect stone for your next home upgrade, diving into a comprehensive Countertop Buying Guide is an excellent next step to plan your budget and style!
Marble serves to the human as one of the most common decorations and structural materials for ages. But have you ever thought, “where does marble come from?”
Homeowners all around the world prefer marble countertops for their elegance and easy access. Marble brightens up the dim bathrooms, adds a sophisticated look to the ordinary kitchens, and upgrades many other places with its strong nature and aesthetic beauty.
You might be wondering about the marble when it is still under the Earth’s surface or its journey to our houses. In this post, you will learn about marble, including how it comes to our homes. As you read through the article, you will understand how marble can survive the test of time. Enjoy!
Being a metamorphic rock, marble is a very common natural stone that has been in use for ages. Though many people are familiar with this stone from the marble countertops in their houses, marble has been the essential material for constructions, graves, decoration, sculpture, and various decorative works. Additionally, marbles can vary in colors and patterns like white, gray, cream, black…etc.
Marble is a natural stone that comes into being through a metamorphosis under the Earth’s surface. The extreme heat and pressure cause the carbon minerals in the rock to recrystallize. This crystallization also affects the minerals in the rock and fossilized minerals in the limestone, and they turn into calcite. As the heat increases towards the hot igneous rock, the amount of interlocking crystal mosaics of carbonate increases and makes bigger marble stones.
In different parts of the Earth, there are convergent plate margins that supply the marble to the world. The marble reserves are usually hundreds of meters thick, and they range under huge geographical regions.
Marble can be found in different parts of the world. However, some countries have ample amounts of quarries, and they have bigger fame in the marble industry. For example, Turkey, Italy, Spain, China, and India supply half of the world’s marble. Some other countries export marble to the world, such as the United States, Greece, Belgium…etc.
There are marble quarries in different parts of the U.S., like Vermont, Texas, and Georgia. Especially, the one in Vermont is the biggest quarry in the U.S.
According to stonenews.eu, the U.S. imports a great deal of marble from Turkey, China, Mexico and Italy to supply the demand in the country.
Marble surfaces are highly popular all around the world. You can see marble in various places ranging from ancient Greece to the Washington Monument in the U.S. It is also one of the most popular countertop materials indoors. The same material has been used for ages, and they are still standing soundly, so we can understand that durability is the key here.
When it comes to countertop and other indoor uses of marble, easy maintenance, elegant look, and easy access are some of the factors that make marble surfaces so popular.
Composed of limestone, the marble should be a light-colored stone-like white or cream. However, some minerals that the majority of the marble rocks involve add second or third colors or patterns to the marble. Therefore, we can see black, yellow, gray, or pink colors in marbles due to the clay minerals or iron oxides.
Marble is a highly durable material. You can use it for a lifetime. Once it is installed properly, you can be sure that your countertop is heat resistant, easy to clean, and incredibly beautiful. If you are concerned about the scratches, you should seal them frequently since the marble surface is less resistant to scratches or cracks compared to other natural stones like granite or quartzite.
Although marble is classy and beautiful in all sorts, some marble types are quite more valuable than others. Calacatta marble is one of a kind marble with exceptionally intricate veins. The background is so white, and the veins are much more clear than other marble stones.
Calacatta marble is quarried in the Carrara region in Italy. Since the supply is very limited due to the more challenging quarrying conditions, it is rare, and the price of a Calacatta marble is higher than others.
Marble is one of the most functional materials that human beings hold. It is part of our history, our present, and most probably our future. We know many things about it, yet there are still things to know about this amazing natural stone.
