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Granite – one of nature’s oldest raw materials
Granite is the collective name of rock formed over many millions of years. Not two pieces of granite are identical, which makes each piece optically unique. The special characteristics are caused by nature’s impact, which gives granite “personality”, charm and shows its “history”.
Below, we describe and explain the natural occurrences/characteristics in the different granite types, to which you should pay attention when choosing granite:
Holes/cracks
Holes/cracks are present in all types of natural stone. They are deposits made of small animals, fungi or air bubbles, which were created during the compression of different materials. Cracks (contraction cracks) are the gaps, which nature left during the creation of the various granite types.
The materials have been exposed to enormous pressure and heat impact through millions of years and have thus melted into the construction material we use today.
Variations in shade/vein structure
Worktops with such natural delineations have a wide span, which means that large colour variations may occur in the same granite top.
In some granite types it almost seems as if some areas lack the original ground colour. This is owed to the different composition (hardness) of the granite. As an example, there are types, which have large vein definition, which are suddenly cut by traversing veins or thin streaks, which may look like cracks.
Natural flecks – dark/light
These are most common in close-veined granite types. They appear as dark or light flecks varying in size.
The flecks may be uniform in colour or composed of many small flecks.
Large-patterned surface
Such patterns may appear as “solid” pieces of rock, which are compressed, or as large and small veins running in different directions.
Grinding marks/mat grinding
Such marks are present on all types of natural stone with a mat grinded surface. Grinding marks will normally be circular markings left by the grinding blocks during grinding. Grinding marks cannot be avoided on mat grinded granite, as it is the last grinding block before polishing that makes the marks. Be aware that mat worktops require a higher degree of maintenance.
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