Tests (especially for Absolute Black) (using a sample of YOUR slab):

1. To verify you have true AB and not dyed: Clean with denatured alcohol and rub marble polishing powder on the face. (Get denatured alcohol at Home Depot in the paint department)

2. Lemon Juice or better yet some Muriatic Acid: will quickly show if the stone has a lot of calcium content and will end up getting etched. [Also try vinegar, red wine, grape juice]

3. Acetone: The Dying usually is done on the same Chinese stone. like the others said, acetone on a rag will reveal any dye that has been applied

4. Chips: Using something very hard & metalÂhit the granite sharply & hard on edges to see if it chips, breaks, or cracks

Also, from Kevin: the 3 species that I am aware of are Absolute Black ( as
buehl has mentioned above), some variants of Blue Bahia,
and Sodalite Blue. Otherwise, if there are others that DO
react - I have not run across them over the last 22 years
of doing slab Granite Fabrication.

Get a sample of you slabs, and then spot it with things you use around your kitchen. I used red wine, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, hot pepper sauce (surprizingly the most problematic), tomato sauce, oil and a lemon wedge. Let sit overnight. Rinse off the next day and inspect for staining and etching. If you have some staining, try sealing the sample with a quality sealer and then repeat the testing.

The idea is to discover a slab that will be problem free. However, if you really love a certain stone, at least you'll have an idea of how careful you'll need to be with it.

I'd add coffee and tea to the list.

One key thing I learned to test with is oil. I tested a stone that had not real absorbtion from food sauces and no etching, but was a sponge when I put some oil it. I still have the sample and the oil stain goes deep, almost to the center of the stone, which I can see from the side. My issue with that is how will I know when it needs to be resealed even a sealer took care of it? Water was not readily absorbed, so the test of water beading up would not tell me, which is what most people use as an indicator. I wouldn't know it needed to be resealed until the oil started to penetrate again and then the stone already has a stain. I might reconsider that stone if I could figure out how to keep it looking good, esp around the stove. So be sure you put a teaspoon of oil on the sample as well as acidic substances and sauces.

Sue

My KD had me put some water on the granite, and then rest a full glass of water on the water that's on the granite & leave it there overnight. See if there's a ring in the morning.

Thanks all! Yesterday I put mustard, ketchup, soy sauce, red wine, olive oil, peanut butter and lemon juice on it and let it sit overnight. NOTHING there this morning after I wiped all that off! Needless to say, I'm delighted!
Thanks again!