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Tools & Resources
: Ask The Editor : January
2008
Getting the Right Granite
To submit your own kitchen question, send
an e-mail to editor@kitchens.com.
Question: I love one of the photographs on your Web site and
I would really like to know what the countertop is. I have had this
photo pasted as my desktop for months now; I like it that much. We
are finally at the point where we are ready to replace our countertop,
and this is the countertop I want.
Sandi U.
Answer: I can tell you for sure that this is a polished
granite countertop with a bullnose edge. What I don’t know is the
color—but even if I did know that, it wouldn’t necessarily be useful
information.
For one, granite colors don’t have consistent names. Countries of
origin, importers, fabricators, installers and retailers all have their
own naming conventions for granite. It’s sort of like finding the right
paint color—my bedroom is painted “Under the Big Top,” which is code for
sky blue.
Secondly, photos—whether on the Internet or in a magazine—have their
limitations. What looks great in a 4-inch x 5-inch photo of someone
else’s kitchen might not measure up in person or in your home. For that
reason, you should always pick out colors—whether of paint, countertops,
flooring, tiles or cabinets—where you can see the actual product for
yourself.
Most importantly, every slab of granite is unique and contains
variations in color, veining and particle size. This is true even if you
are looking at two slabs of Absolute Black from the same quarry. That’s
why you can’t just choose a color of granite—you have to go to the
granite yards (typically a retailer/installer) and pick out a specific
slab for your countertop.
Some relatively common granite colors include:
|
Blacks |
Browns |
Blues |
Greens |
Yellows |
|
Absolute Black |
Baltic Brown |
Blue Pearl |
Emerald Pearl |
Giallo Ornamentale |
|
Black Galaxy |
Dakota Mahogany |
Volga Blue |
Peacock Green
(or Verde Peacock) |
New Venetian Gold |
|
Black Impala
(or Impala Black) |
Santa Cecilia |
|
Ubatuba (or Uba Tuba;
it is a dark green) |
|
|
|
Tan Brown |
|
|
|
|
|
Tropical Brown |
|
|
|
Knowing your colors in other languages can
help in the search, as many granites come from Italy, Spain, India,
China, Brazil and other foreign countries. Here are a few pointers:
|
Italian |
Spanish |
English |
| Arancio |
naranja |
orange |
| Bianco |
blanco |
white |
| Blu |
azul |
blue |
| Giallo |
amarillo |
yellow |
| Grigio |
Gris |
gray |
| Nero |
negro |
black |
| Rosa |
rosa |
pink |
| Rosso |
rojo |
red |
| Verde |
verde |
green |
Finally, a few thoughts on cost: Granites are typically divided into
anywhere from three to six pricing tiers, depending on the seller. The
most exotic, rare or difficult to obtain stones cost can cost more than
twice as much as the options in the lowest tier.
Other options that affect price include the thickness of the slab, the
elaborateness of the edge treatment and the type of finish.
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