Granite is a hard, coarse-grained rock that makes up a large part of every continent. Granite contains three main minerals - quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase feldspar. These minerals make granite white, pink, or light grey. Granite also contains small amounts of dark brown, dark-green, or black minerals, such as hornblende and biotite mica. The grains of the minerals in granite are large enough that they can easily be distinguished.

The minerals in granite are interlocked like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Consequently, granite is a strong and durable which makes it useful for construction.

Geologists classify granite as an igneous rock. The slow cooling and crystallization of molten material called magma forms most granite. Magma has the same chemical composition as granite. It forms from rocks that melt 16 to 25 miles (25 to 40 kilometers') below the surface of the continents. These rocks melt at temperatures between 1200' and 1650' F. (650' and 900' C). As the magma rises, it cools. Most granite magma cools slowly enough to form coarse crystals and it solidifies below the earth's surface.

Sometimes granitic magma erupts from volcanoes and cools too quickly to form large crystals. The resulting rock, called rhyolite, has the same mineral composition as granite but is fine grained.



Granite 1
A very hard, crystalline, platonic rock (formed far below the surface of the earth by slowly cooling magmatic bodies) of various colors consisting of feldspar, quartz (crystalline -2-silica) and smaller amounts of other minerals. Granite is very hard and more resistant to damage than marble, making granite more difficult to harm and correspondingly more difficult to restore than marble. Care of granite is similar to marble except more work is required, however the work is required less often. As a practical matter, a final high gloss finish on granite is generally achieved by using power driven polishing tools and fine grit diamonds.



Granite 2
Granite is one of the oldest, most durable and most respected of building materials. Traditionally, it is the material chosen by both architects and engineers when permanence, enduring color and texture, and complete freedom from deterioration and maintenance are prime requirements.

And granite is ageless--always contemporary. Today's leading architects, knowing its unique qualities, are using it more extensively than ever before. Many of our most impressive buildings, commercial as well as institutional and monumental, are being faced with granite, and it's still unequaled as a material for steps, terraces, and the pavings of plazas and public spaces.

The granite industry is keeping pace with architectural progress and changing demands. Technological developments have revolutionized quarrying and fabrication methods, reducing costs and leading to new applications. Attractive new finishes, new construction techniques and new jointing methods have been introduced. For example, granite is being employed on steel frames to provide preformed wall units which require no additional masonry back-up.

It is common practice in the industry to to classify architectural granite as either of two types:

Building Granite : Granite used either structurally or as a veneer for exterior or interior wall facings, steps, paving, copings or other building features.

Masonry Granite : Granite used in larger blocks for retaining walls, bridge piers, abutments, arch stones and similar purposes.



Granite 3
Granite: a coarse-grained rock composed mainly of the minerals quartz and feldspar, often containing small quantities of mica or hornblende. Commonly believed to develop as an igneous rock (created by molten magma under pressure), some researchers now think that granite is actually metamorphic in nature (created by pressure deep under the earth's surface). Some beds of granite are among the world's oldest stone. Granite develops in all parts of the world, with some of the major granite bed occurring in North America, Brazil and India.

So, how does granite get from the ground to houses and buildings around the world?

First, it is mined. Taken from the ground in blocks roughly shaped like train cars, the granite is sliced into sheets about one inch thick and polished on one side. Then it is shipped around the world to distributors, who sell it to the fabrication shops which actually use up the stone.

Why is granite so popular as a countertop material?

There are several answers to that question:

· First and foremost, looks! Granite comes in some amazing colors, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful stones in the world.

· Durability. Granite lasts the lifetime of a person's home without chipping or scratching, and is impervious to heat. The color and polished surface of granite do not fade over time.

· Economics. With the new technology available to the miners and fabricators of granite, the cost of granite has dropped dramatically in the last few decades. Stone prices are now competitive with man-made options, and granite lasts longer than any other surface!

· Ecology. Although mining is rough on the environment, other products are far worse in several ways. Man-made products create potentially deadly by-products which go straight to our crowded landfills. Due to granite's durability and timeless beauty it does not need to be replaced or upgraded, whereas man-made counters are replaced several times over the life of a building, further adding waste (both environmentally and financially).

Granite 4
Granite is a very hard crystalline, igneous rock that is available in a vast range of colour, texture and mineral composition.

Granite is available in the following finishes: polished, honed, fine rubbed, thermal flame finished, and can take a sandblasted coarse or fine stippled finish. ASTM C97 - Absorption by weight 0.4% max.

Granite 5
Granites are intrusive rocks that start out as molten masses deep within the earth. As the mass cools, the minerals form into crystals of various sizes and shapes, depending on the conditions at the time. Large crystals are indicative of a slow cool down while small crystals are typical of a rapid cooling.

Granites are typically made up of three minerals; quartz, feldspar and mica. "Gneiss" are a category of granites that have metamorphosed or changed to a different form. Granites are typically the hardest of the dimensional stones and withstand the elements very well. Granites are best for kitchen counters since

They resist scratching are stain and heat resistant. They are also suitable for flooring or paving, wall cladding, all other types of counter tops and tombstones. Granite is suitable for either exterior or interior applications.

 

Limestone