| My Grandmother used to say to me "Nothing | | | | Black granite imported from Asia is sometimes |
| cheap is good and nothing good is cheap". | | | | doctored with dyes and oils to darken the |
| This ring true when dealing with the purchase | | | | surface. The fading is nothing more than the |
| especially on the internet of Granite Work | | | | dyes and oils being removed. Unfortunately, |
| Surfaces. In fact of all stone so read | | | | the only fix is to re-polish the top. This |
| carefully. | | | | can be costly. |
| | | | |
| Natural stone is graded as to it's | | | | Before purchasing a granite top perform the |
| suitability for a given task. It is also | | | | following test to find out if it has been |
| graded regarding the region of the world it | | | | doctored. |
| originated from. This is a grade for general | | | | |
| use but more for stone professionals to | | | | Get a clean white cloth and apply some |
| advise architects, surveyors etc which | | | | acetone (nail varnish remover) to the surface |
| products to use for maximum efficiency in the | | | | of the granite. If any residue or black color |
| building or home. | | | | is observed on the top, do not accept it, it |
| | | | has been dyed. /P> |
| When buying on the internet you are usually | | | | |
| shown samples of the very best, Granite, | | | | Take a piece of the "granite" you want to |
| Marble, Limestone etc. You must be aware that | | | | test and spill a few drops of lemon juice |
| this stone is probably not what you will | | | | onto it. If you see that under the drops of |
| receive. Firstly, the stone is batched. You | | | | lemon it develops very quickly dark spots, it |
| need batched stone to get the consistent | | | | means that it's a very absorbent stone and I |
| pattern throughout the surface. If you were | | | | would advise you against it. If it takes, |
| to buy stone today and return for stone a | | | | say, a minute or so to be absorbed, then |
| month later to complete your project you will | | | | you're dealing with a level of absorbency |
| invariably get a mismatch that can look | | | | that's easily controllable with the |
| horrendous especially with the larger | | | | application of a good quality impregnating |
| crystals such as blue pearl granite. | | | | sealer. |
| | | | |
| Always make sure you are receiving the same | | | | So, in short be careful where you place your |
| batch and have it itemised on your order. | | | | order and always seek specialist advice. The |
| Also if the installer chips a corner or | | | | void between a good stone and a bad stone is |
| scratches the surface you will generally need | | | | huge, the price between a good stone and a |
| a replacement piece. If the batch isn't | | | | bad stone is smaller than you think but can |
| available you may have a problem. | | | | be costlier. |
| | | | |
| I have received numerous calls lately | | | | If you are in any doubt give me a call I will |
| concerning the fading of black granite | | | | try to help 07968 503887. |
| counter tops. Black granite should not fade. | | | | |