For years, granite has been the preferred choice for countertops because of its beauty and durability. Granite is made up of a variety of minerals—including quartz, obsidian, mica, and others—which have fused together over the centuries to form the multi-colored patterns which give it its unique character. DiVerde Stone™ Natural Stone Series includes a wide variety of high-quality and cost-effective natural materials.
Aside from price and usage, here are some other things to consider when choosing a natural stone product:
Function
What is the material used for? Will it be installed on a countertop in the kitchen or bathroom? Will it be installed on the floor and in a wet area?
Porosity
The pores and fissures evident within marble or granite are perfectly normal. In fact, these “imperfections” are what make natural stone such a perfect countertop solution—because they enable the stone to “breathe” and give it its ability to both absorb and expel liquids.The percentage of minerals within the stone will determine its hardness and affect how well it either absorbs or repels liquid. Some liquids (such as cooking oil) will be absorbed more readily due to higher viscosity. In as much as no two stones are alike, the basic rule to keep in mind is this: The stone’s ability to repel liquid depends on its porosity, while absorbency depends on the viscosity of the liquid.
Hardness (Mohs Scale)
The second factor to consider when choosing a natural stone is its Mohs scale rating. The scale is an indicator of the hardness of the stone as measured by its “scratchability,”
with 1 being softest (talc, for example) and 10 being hardest (diamond, of course). Quartz, the principle mineral in granite, has a hardness rating of 7 on the Mohs scale. The stone’s hardness will help determine both how durable it is and how easy it is to maintain.
In spite of the variance from one stone to the next, you do not have to simply choose the stone and hope for the best. Porosity can be quantified so that you know upfront how well a stone repels both water-based and oil-based liquids. As a rule, the less porous a stone, the better suited it is for kitchen countertop use. However, even porous stone will retain its beauty for years to come provided that it is professionally sealed, regularly cleaned, and properly maintained. (For cleaning, sealing, and maintenance tips and procedures, please refer to the Restoration section of our site.)
Natural Stone Gallery
click here to visit DiVerde Stone™ natural stone gallery.