granite testing

12 years ago

Hi all...I am testing some stones for a kitchen counter using all of the helpful tips posted on previous threads here. Wondering if anyone can help me interpret what I'm seeing...

Essentially what I'm wondering about is little cracks in granite, for instance some little seems around the veining, and what it means if liquid is easily absorbed into these cracks. Is this something sealant will take care of? If the solid parts of the granite hold up well to stains but these seems are completely vulnerable should I not get that stone? Is this normal for granite...I though granite was supposed to be difficult to stain?

The full story...we are considering Fantasy Brown "quartzite" along with a couple of granite options. The Fantasy Brown does not seem to be pure quartzite since it can be easily scratched with a knife, etches (slightly - it's not calcite marble) with vinegar/lemon, doesn't scratch glass, etc. It does hold up pretty well to staining though...red wine stains very faintly after 30 min (unsealed)... a bit more but still faint after 2 hr.

It is the granite testing that I find puzzling. I tested a block of Alaska White and the differences in the materials are certainly noticeable. Can't scratch it, no etching, and it *seems* far less absorbent at first. Liquid just slides around on top whereas with the Fantasy Brown it settled quickly into little circles. The solid parts of the granite do not stain but there are many little cracks, particularly around the veins, and I can see the liquid immediately seeping into these and turning all of the stone red beneath. Does this mean I have an excessively damaged sample or are cracks like this a real worry with granite.

I am wary of the Fantasy Brown based on all the previous posts here discussing that and also Super White quartzite about how they are marble and too soft for the kitchen. But, if I judge by my testing I would have to go with the quartzite. Is this the wrong conclusion to draw? Am I somehow misjudging the granite? I know they are supposed to be the most durable.

Please help me understand :-)

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Comments (6)

PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
12 years ago
You have to decide if you're going to be rational or emotional. If you are in love with one of the bad boys, you'll make every excuse to have him, no matter what we say.
moosipants
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the support Trebuchet. Actually it is the Fantasy Brown I'm more in love with. I was trying to be rational and choose the granite instead, but the granite was the one with heavier stains. Now I'm just confused!
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ck_squared
12 years ago
You will not regret the Fantasy Brown Quartzite. We put it in our kitchen remodel and it's been in heavy use now for 9 months with nary a scratch or stain to be found. It has been great for us and we love the look. Ours is a lighter-colored version, lots of white, tan, gray... we had seen a much bolder version with dark browns in it but preferred this lighter version.

Good luck in making your decision!
karin_mt
12 years ago
Sounds like the AK White has some small fractures that are allowing water to get in. I think your observations are right on. My advice, if you want that granite, is to bring your sample back, ask them to seal it, and run your tests again.

You might also try another sample to see if the problem is confined to just that one piece.
annaship1
12 years ago
I have just had antiqued Brown Fantasy installed in my kitchen. I can't speak to its durability yet, but I can tell you that it is beautiful! My stone is heavy on the white and grey also. I am including a link to a thread I had posted some months ago that included photos of my testing of a sample. My conclusions at the time were that it was quite resistant to staining, but did etch a bit with extended exposure to acids. The etching disappeared easily with a very light rub with Scotchbrite pad.

Here is a link that might be useful: Testing a Brown Fantasy Sample
PRO
Granite City Services
12 years ago
I am a fabricator.

It is normal for many stones to have the fissures you mention. Also normal for the stone, which is an amalgam of many different minerals, to exhibit a lot of variation in porosity.

A good sealer will make most "granites" quite resistant to staining but it does not make the stone "waterproof" or stainproof".

I always recommend a customer pick to look they like as that is what they'll live with every day. When the stone is one with less desirable material properties (like marble and limestone) I educate the customer on the negative aspects of that stone so it doesn't come as a surprise.