Found all over the world, granite is a hard, crystalline blend of quartz, feldspar, and mica named for its granular structure. Though less porous than marble, granite naturally includes tiny pits (spaces between crystals) and fissures, and it needs regular sealing to maintain its appearance.
Granite comes in a dizzying, dazzling array of colors -- everything from basic black to exotics such as Blue Eyes, a blue-gray stone with iridescent blue crystals that appear to wink as you walk past. Patterns distinguish granites as well; they may be flecked and fairly uniform or swirled, suggesting the movement of waves on a beach.
The cost of a granite variety reflects its origin and rarity, as well as its quality, which is based not only on structural integrity but also on how true the stone color runs to type and how much variation is within a given lot. You'll also pay more for thick countertops and curvy edge treatments.
When choosing granite as a countertop, be sure to consider the expertise of the fabricator and installer (check references carefully). The National Training Center for Stone and Masonry Trades (NTC) recommends this "lemon test" before you buy: Spill a few drops of lemon juice on a scrap of stone. If the juice is quickly absorbed and leaves dark spots, the granite is porous, demanding vigilant sealing and TLC. If it takes a minute or more to stain, it's a better candidate for countertops. If the stone has a permanent dull spot from the acid, buyer beware: You'll face the same problem every time you spill orange juice or any acidic food.
Another caveat: Some oversea suppliers dye and oil their black granite to darken it, and the surface color fades with wear. Test a scrap: Take a clean white rag and apply a little nail polish remover (acetone). If black residue comes off, the granite countertop is probably dyed, and you should avoid it.
To get the best price, you may want to go straight to the granite yard and bypass kitchen shops. Find the slab you like best, inspect it for cracks or fissures, and ask, "What's the best deal you can give me?" Consider that you'll probably pay more for installing the granite than for the stone itself because its hardness and density make it difficult to cut and transport. So buying granite from a granite yard/fabricator sometimes yields a better price than buying the granite and then finding the fabricator.
