How Do Granite Countertops Get Their Colour?

When it comes to durable and attractive countertops, it is difficult to beat granite. It is one of the hardest natural stones available for your kitchen and is resistant to chips and stains. When sealed, granite countertops repel oils, water, and other liquids. If maintained well, they will retain their rich colours and texture for a very long time. Granite countertops are a favourite among homeowners for many reasons. The most significant is arguably their wide range of natural patterns and brilliant colours which enhance your home’s beauty.

While a more cost-effective option than marble, granite is worth the investment. But have you ever wondered how these colours are formed?

In this post, we discuss in detail how granite is formed and the colours that are available for granite countertops.

Granite Countertops: Formation and its Popular Colours and Patterns

Formation of Granite and the Top Colours of Granite Countertops

Granite kitchen countertops come in a wide range of colours, so there is something to match almost any decor style.

However, while more affordable than marble, granite is indeed worth investing in. This guide explains how this natural stone is formed and the types of colours and patterns available for granite countertops so you can make an informed choice.

Granite is very solid and durable as it is composed of several minerals fused under high pressure below the Earth’s crust. In fact, the word ‘granite’ is derived from the Latin word for grain (granum) because there are visible grains of minerals on its surface.

This natural stone is mined in a number of countries and is mainly composed of quartz, alkali and plagioclase feldspars, as well as mineral impurities present during its formation. Feldspars are especially affected by weather, and, due to their chemical instability, exposure to ground fluids may alter their overall appearance. They can even be changed into completely different forms like clay minerals, bauxite, and limonite. Interestingly, the presence of quartz and feldspar along with other weathering effects produces the variety of colours we see in granite today.

Here are some of the most popular granite colours and a brief description of each of them.

The most common colours of granite are white, pink, yellow, grey and black, mainly because of its composition. Quartz is milky white, feldspar is white, potassium feldspar is pink, biotite is black or brown, muscovite is yellow, and amphibole is green. These minerals determine the colour of the granite depending on the type and ratio of their combination and external pressure. For example, granite with large quantities of potassium feldspar will look pink while large quantities of amphiboles make it look green. The presence of amethyst can tint it a faint purple while radiation can tint it a smoky to black shade. If it has a lot of quartz and amphibole, you will see the typical speckled black and white granite most commonly used in kitchen countertops.

Quartz and feldspar are key minerals in granite, comprising between 20% and 60% and 10% to 65%, respectively. Other minerals are amphiboles and biotite or muscovite (between 5% and 15%). These will determine the colour of the granite as well as its durability. As a rule of thumb, the higher the percentage of quartz, the harder the granite.

Below are some of the most popular granite colours and a brief description of each.

Traditional White Granite

White granite is one of the most popular countertop options due to its clean, classic appearance. These mostly consist of quartz which gives them a bright look. White granite also has feldspars which are crystals of sodium, potassium, and calcium. The mineral mica is also present in this natural stone.

The colour and density of these mineral inclusions have an excellent impact on their overall appearance. White granites have black or grey veins or flecks and also include pale blue, red or beige accents. Below, we look at popular white colour options for your granite countertops.

Andino White

This Brazilian granite may be honed, polished, or leathered, and when properly finished, it may be used in either indoor or outdoor kitchens. Although Andino white countertops are affordable and suitable for all kinds of kitchen designs, they are recommended for those dominated by stainless steel appliances and cabinets. These countertops are sometimes rippled or speckled and have a white or slightly off-white body with large clear spaces. Their colour accents include brown, charcoal, and beige, along with black patches.

Moon White

This type originates from India and is known to be one of the lightest granites. Like other white granite stones, it is matched perfectly with different decor styles, though it is best suited to a contemporary, uncluttered setting.

It is popular for its tiny flecks and colour inclusions of ivory, silver grey and deep black. It is also a cost-effective and versatile countertop option that can withstand extreme temperatures.

White Ice

This popular Brazilian granite is predominantly white with black, grey, or brown hues running across its surface. The ‘ice’ portion of its name comes from the veined and patchwork-like effect that runs through it. It also has quartz flakes that increase reflection and add sparkle to its surface. This bold and luxurious look makes it available at higher prices.

Black Granite

Like white granite, black granite is rarely 100% black. If you do find one, it probably has a large percentage of biotite. However, granite with less than 20% quartz is more likely to be gabbro; this is an intrusive rock that features similar properties (if not composition) to granite.

Here are a few popular black colour options for granite countertops.

Absolute Black Granite

Mined from India, this granite is known for its high level of colour consistency. For those who want luxurious deep black granite countertops with minimal inclusion of minerals, this colour is your best bet.

Also called Nero Absolute, this black granite has dense grey speckles that are only visible upon close inspection or under bright lights.

It is a bit expensive and is available in honed, leathered and polished finishes. Once sealed, it is perfect for outdoor kitchens.

Black Galaxy

This Indian granite offers your kitchen a luxurious look. It is usually devoid of veining, with copper, silver, or gold flecks that are not very dense but are present throughout the surface.

If the granite is highly polished then the flecks will reflect brightly. This is one of the most expensive granite countertop options.

Ubatuba

This black granite also originates from Brazil. The inclusion of mica offers kitchen countertops made from it a grand look. This style is available in leathered, polished, and honed finishes. It is also flecked with diverse colours such as greys, greens, blacks and browns; even gold. In spite of its beauty, it is readily available and is surprisingly affordable.

Brown Granite

As mentioned, pink granite contains a large proportion of potassium feldspar. It will also consist of milky white quartz, dark amphiboles, and white feldspar minerals.

If you wish to give your kitchen a natural look then this brown granite is your best option. It exhibits a depth of colour and quality but is more subtle than other types of granite. This granite countertop matches wooden cabinets and furniture, and its flecks are grey, gold, or light brown. Here are a few brown colour options for granite countertops:

Giallo Ornamental

Although a type of white granite, this granite looks brown because of the presence of tan and cream tones. It originates from Brazil and is also known as Giallo Santo or Amarello Ornamental.

It has a consistent pattern, with the presence of small to medium flecks of deep brown, gold, and black. It is a versatile colour that goes well with light or dark woods. It is a great countertop option for both rustic and traditional-style kitchens and is affordable.

St. Cecilia

This popular brown granite is mined in Brazil. Because of its versatility and attractive look, it is a good option for all types of kitchens. The colour accents are tan and cream and the differently-sized flecks have short veining sections. Moreover, it has patches of quartz, and, if polished, will reflect light.

Other Colour Options for Granite Countertops

Besides white, black, and brown, granite countertops are also available in other colours. Let’s check them out.

Bold Red Granite

This granite was used in Egyptian pyramids and is used mainly for decoration and construction purposes. The red is due to the presence of feldspar and iron oxide. It comes in diverse patterns and shades, from red and deep burgundy to bright pink. Some of these red-coloured granites also have white, silver, or blue accents.

You may install red granite to create a focal point in your kitchen. Make sure you keep the finishes in neutral colours to avoid the space feeling cluttered. Choose wooden cabinets in warm tones to match the red granite.

Cool Blue Granite

Known for its beautiful patterns, blue granite is one of the most popular countertop materials. Its patterns are categorized into two types: veined and homogenous. Homogenous means equally distributed to form a unified pattern, while veined blue granite has minerals forming swirls throughout the stone’s surface.

Most of these granites have black and blue as their base colours; others have brown, grey, or white bases. Their colours vary from deep blue to silvery blue, and this wide range of colours allows this granite to pair with almost any type of cabinet. For instance, a light blue-grey may look good with white cabinets in a contemporary-style kitchen.

Lush Green Granite

Green granite brings a pleasant, natural feel to your kitchen. It has grey and brown undertones and stunning patterns, swirls, and flecks.

These countertops match well with white cabinets and bright hardware to create an inviting look in your kitchen. They pair well with wooden cabinets, especially if the wood has cool tones to match the green.

For more information, contact MaxSpace Stone Works. We have a huge inventory of granite, marble, and other stones and allow you to view them directly instead of relying on product samples. This will help you to understand what your final product will look like.