This seam would bother me, but were you expecting a seam in this location? It's like they seamed two pieces of granite with opposite grain next to each other. The flow doesn't look right... I don't know if a different epoxy color would have fixed it though?

Would like to see a larger picture of the area. I agree that it looks as if a seam shouldn't even be there at all.

It's an 11 ft island, they said they couldn't get a slab that large. Seam is about 6 inches right of the sink and its uneven, but they claim it meets industry standards (barely). Pretty much in center of island.

It's not bad. I've seen way worse.

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/granite-seam-dsvw-vd~3572557[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/granite-seam-dsvw-vd~3572557)

Should i pay thousands for "not bad"?

It appears that the pattern of the granite is mirrored at the seam which accentuates the seam. I can further comment if you can share an overall picture.

It draws the eye, right? I'll get a better pic. I just don't think it looks good.

I agree. That would make me nuts. The flow is fighting each other. Seam color is too obvious. Good luck getting it corrected.

Not acceptable at all. They did not match the grain and the seam should not be visible.

Yes, unfortunately the large size needed the seam (not sure if different location would make this any better).
Seam looks tight/flush, it's the glue color that catches the eye. Also the granite pattern shows off seam. With natural stone the pattern won't line up and can show more when stone has light and dark tones mixed together. If top was black with black glue, this seam would be a 9 out of 10 (might be able to be slightly tighter, but meets industry standards). It's really the granite color/pattern that's hard to make a seamless look. They also had to decide on color glue, do you try to match lighter or darker tones, they chose lighter (darker might have been slightly better, but would still show). If they told you there would be a seam, unfortunately is what a Granite seam can look like. If they are a reputable company, see if they could atleast try to work with you in trying to disguise it more. One trick to help a visable glue line is to use permanent markers to darken glue in spots that are up against dark stones. This won't fix it, but might help to not notice such a long straight seam line. Best of Luck to You!

I too have a large island. They made the seem at the sink specifically so it would be less noticeable as its a more natural break. Also, the granite purveyor told me beforehand that while it took two slabs, they would match up the granite so the direction of the pattern flow was the same, to yield as best a match as possible. (Sorry I don't have a closeup to illustrate.)

We're these items not discussed prior to install?

Also, Lining up veining of two different natural granite slabs is very difficult to do with this color/pattern.
If anyone else is considering countertops but don't want seams, Corian is the way to go! Any size/shape and it can all be one large, seamless top!

I really like the idea of the marker to try to mottle the glue in the seam. Maybe you could try it with something washable first to see if you like it. Find someone in your household who is kind of artistic and try to create "spots" to help it blend in.

Is this the best we could have hoped for? Or is it unfortunate but within industry standards?

Industry standards for natural-stone countertops are set by "Marble Institute of America", (Even the multi-million-dollar contracts are governed by these standards.)

As far as I can see from your picture, the seams are within Industry Standards. What is more eye-catching is the pattern direction change. Typically, fabricators would make sure veining flows in same direction on both sides of the seam in order to blend the seam.

In your case, it appears that, the piece with the sink was cut parallel to the "long side" of the granite-slab while adjacent piece is cut parallel to the "short side" side. Therefore there is a 90 degree rotation disrupting vein flow.

While this is less then ideal, there can be several valid reasons why fabricator decided to do this.

I must add, it is important to consider environmental effect of discarding existing pieces as they form in millions of years, sometimes more than billion years and therefore it is not a renewable product.

I think it's fine. For half the width (far side), the change in pattern isn't even noticeable, and you probably can't hope for better than that when the grain of the stone varies so much. It's not really macro movement where there are sharp lines headed in different directions like we sometimes see.

It's much more common to put the seam at the sink, so that most of the join is cut out -- is there some reason that they couldn't have done that here? Otherwise, I'm sorry to say I think this is one you'll just have to live with. For what it's worth, I suspect that you'll stop noticing it after a few months, especially once you have stuff all over your counters!

I would consider this acceptable for granite. We never put seams though the sink, it's prone to have future issues. You mentioned your flooring guy might be able to help touch up the look of seam, you could see if he can help you, just make sure he tries a small spot before doing the whole stretch.

So the pros have weighed in: the SEAM is acceptable and considered a 9 out of 10 (which is pretty good if not perfect...hard to improve on "almost perfect"). The glue/sealant is light coloured which might be the ONLY area of complaint. A slightly darker glue may have hidden this a bit better...but it may not have.

The specialists have also weighed in to say it is the CHOICE OF GRANITE (ie. the stone you chose to purchase and have installed) that is causing the visual issue. The pattern in the stone, added to the overall "light" colour of the stone that are making a "very good seam" visible.

A different stone with a different colour = almost invisible seam. For what you have chosen, purchased and had installed, this is about as good as it gets. The only possible issue MIGHT be the glue/sealant colour....that's about all there is to argue about...and even then no one can say for sure if that would have helped.

At first glance it would seem almost impossible to match such a busy pattern.

We would have CHOSEN a different color had they explained how difficult the SEAM would be to blend. We were told that was the only slab they had in that color and our counter would be made out of that slab. It appeared large enough to us to do the whole top, we didnt know there would be a seam. Now they are saying it was made out of two successive slabs which we don't believe. We have also determined that it isnt the SEAM per se, but the change in the flow of the grain that draws the eye, which the fabricator admits. I appreciate the input from the pros (and all others), you have been extremely helpful. We wish our granite company had been as open about the challenges to start with as we would have chosen a different granite.

Have you paid them yet?

Ellabelle, I agree; it's the disconnect in the pattern, not the seam.