What is NOT granite?

Another rock that is classed as a "granite" for commercial use, but is different in formation is called Gneiss (pronounced 'nice'). This is a rock that has been heated, twisted and folded so much and under such pressure that it has started to melt and has almost turned into a granite. It has exactly the same excellent properties that we look for in a commercial stone for work surfaces, but unlike granite it's classed as a metamorphic rock. Unlike a true granite, it often shows banded patterns.

Other Types of Stone

Some other stone types are NOT sold as granite, because they have very different properties.

Limestone is a sedimentary rock and can often contain fossils. While it can be attractive it is not available in the range and variety of colours that Granite is. It's also much softer, easier to get dirty, and can be damaged by even the weakest acids, such as lemon juice or vinegar.

Marble is a limestone that has been crystallised due to tremendous heat and pressure. While it is no doubt a very beautiful building material it suffers from many of the same faults as Limestone, it is still easy to get dirty and will not resist weak acids.

Reconstituted Stone - Some cheaper materials are actually ground up rock mixed into a plastic polymer, which can be set into particular shapes. It can be easier to form, shares many of the advantages of granite, but it's not natural, and it has a warm, plastic feel when touched, not the natural coolness of genuine stone.