Granite · Igneous
Granite: frozen magma
Cooled slowly, kilometers underground. The bigger the crystals, the slower it cooled.
Granite is an igneous rock: it formed from molten rock that cooled and crystallized below the surface. Cooling deep underground is slow, which gives the crystals time to grow, and that is why granite has a visible speckled grain of quartz, feldspar and mica. Slower cooling usually means larger crystals.
The trade name granite covers more than the strict geological definition. Many dark slabs sold as black granite are related igneous rocks such as gabbro. For a countertop that distinction matters less than how a slab behaves: granite is hard, tolerates heat well and is a workhorse in kitchens.
Most granite is porous enough to benefit from a sealer, and darker stones can hide it better. Finishes change the character: polished brings out depth and colour, honed is softer and quieter, leathered adds texture that hides fingerprints.
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