The last couple of months I have been on the hunt for a granite countertop & fabricator. The first fabricator I obtained a quote works with a large granite wholesaler which I visited and obtained a couple of samples. The granite I like is called Pitaya white. The granite display slab and also the inventory slabs all have diagonal veining.

At the suggestion of a neighbor I visited a second fabricator who happened to have a Pitaya slab in their own inventory. I looked at the slab and liked it way more more than the wholesaler's slabs as the veining is horizontal. The salesperson wanted to make clear to me that they had several customers in the past they were very unhappy with this granite as water would be spilled on the countertop and it would take several hours for the staining to disappear and the stone to dry up. They did not have any samples available.

I went home and decided to do a water test on the samples I got from the wholesaler (first place). I poured several drops of water to both samples. On the first sample I let the water sit for half an hour after which I wiped it off and there was no staining on the stone whatsoever. On the second sample I let the water sit for 9 hours after which I wiped it off. There was a faint water stain that disappeared completely after 10 minutes.

I would rather buy the slab from the second fabricator due to the veining but I am really troubled by what the salesperson mentioned. My question is: what could account for this difference in water staining? Quality of granite (different bundles)? Polishing techniques? Fabricator sealant?

UPDATE:

I tested the samples I got with olive oil, vinegar, ketchup, red wine and water. The samples from the fabricator were unsealed I learned later. I left them them for 18 hours and then wiped the granite clean, even washed it with soap water. The olive oil left a huge stain, the red wine left a faint pink stain and the vinegar you can barely see the stain. The rest of them did not leave any type of mark. I threw out the sample about a month after and the stains were still there although I tried to wash them out again. I decided to buy the Pitaya white granite from the first fabricator and installed it in my kitchen. The second fabricator let me know that they do not seal their granites and I suspect many of their customers didn't seal their stone on their own (or call a professional) and this is the reason their granite stained so easily. I have my countertop now for 10 months and it's amazing (it is sealed of course). It hasn't stained at all even though I cook all the time (but I wipe it when I see stains and every night). I am so impressed with this granite.