WHAT IS GRANITE?
Granite is an igneous rock. It is formed as a result of the slow crystallization of molten magma at great depths in the earth's crust. Over millions of years, uplift and erosion have resulted in granite outcroppings at the surface. The minerals which make up granite are generally quartz, feldspar and various mafic minerals (amphiboles, pyroxenes, micas and secondary materials). It is the size, distribution and precise chemistry of these minerals which give the granite it's colour. The silica content of granite should be at least 70%. Due to the extreme density of granite, a cubic foot weighs 200 lbs.

In the stone industry, "granite" is a term applied to almost all igneous rocks and schists. Traditionally any very hard crystalline rock (quartz-based as opposed to marble, calcite-based) which possesses the following characteristics would be called granite:

•No apparent natural jointing
•Difficult to work without special tools.
•Takes a high polish
•Extremely resistant to natural weathering

Granite can be worked to achieve every type of finish from traditional hand tooled, flame textured, shot blasted, acid washed, or honed to highly polished mirror finishes.