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Each slab of natural stone can vary in thickness, coloration, and shading. You will not get the same slab twice, it is like a finger print each slab is unique.
For most natural stones you will need to seal them, some of the stones that you might not have to seal are denser, dark granite. How often to seal, depends on the type of stone and what type of sealer you use. Typically you would seal your countertops once a year, but can vary. (Sealing protects your countertops from absorbing things, it helps prevent stains).
Granite and marble can stain if not cleaned up immediately. In saying that, there are products on the market that can remove stains in natural stones.
Cleaning your countertop is easy, you simply use mild soap and warm water. Do not use harsh chemicals on your countertops.
Marble is a natural stone that is soft, things to consider is etching can happen if something acidic is left sitting on the surface for aprolonged period of time.
A common problem we face when working with natural stone is that we cannot control what it looks like. The characteristics of natural stone were created by Mother Nature. You cannot compare your stone to your neighbor’s because every slab has a different finish, color tone, pattern, veining, each batch is unique and cut from a different part of the mountain.
Even though we try to educate our customers up front and give our customers as much time as they need to view their stone in person we occasionally still get clients that have different expectations.
Understanding and being realistic with this product, its limitations and what is considered common and acceptable in this industry is very important in determining if this product is a good selection for your project.
Natural stone is not a regulated Industry
Natural stone is not man made—each piece is created by Mother Earth. We are not geologists and do not know the mineral composition of each piece. As a result, Many stones have been marketed incorrectly. For decades some Marbles have been marketed as Quartzites. If ETCHING is something that concerns you, we recommend that you test your natural stone prior to purchasing, this will ensure it meets your expectations and life style needs.
Because natural stone is made up of many different minerals, some are hard and some are soft. As a result, these minerals polish differently all within the same stone, sometimes causing a slight rippling effect during polishing of edge profiles. It’s important to understand that this exists in some natural stones not all.
Understanding fissures. VERY IMPORTANT, The Geological Institute describes it as “an extensive crack, break, or fracture in the rock, which may contain mineral-bearing material.’ The term ‘fissure’ is used commercially in the stone industry to describe a visible separation along intercrystalline boundaries this separation may start and stop within the field of the stone, or extend through an edge. A fissure differs from a crack, in that it is a naturally occurring feature in the stone.” Fissures are very common in natural stone. Some stones contain more fissures than others. A fissure is a naturally occurring characteristic of stone, which can be weak points and can crack open, but usually do not.”
The stone is still continuous along a fissure. In other words, there is no separation within a fissure. You may be able to feel the fissure and you can see them, there should not be any gap, depression or canal of any significant depth. Maybe a minute depression sometimes, but just barely perceptible to the touch.
So, fissures will not of themselves impair or affect the performance or integrity of the stone, and are not a worry regarding granite countertop hygiene.
Fissures are not a problem... unless they crack. A crack represents a physical separation of the stone. It may be a hairline crack that may or may not be full thickness or it could visibly separate.
