subject: Checking For Stone Defects In Marble and Granite [print this page] Checking For Stone Defects In Marble and Granite
Natural stone is advertised to be tough. It is also advertised to come in with some tolerable imperfections and inconsistencies. This makes it hard for the consumer to know when a stone actually has a defect, or whether a blemish is just part of the stone's natural development. To help you with this, we list down here some of the issues to look out for when buying marble and granite.
Difference in grain and shade
As much as possible, the grain and shade of natural stone should be uniform, especially if it came from the same quarry and slab. There are some that may convince you to accept variations as natural. If you can't find uniform shade and grain, look at a different type of stone or go to a different fabricator or supplier.
Watch out for additives
There are times when additives are used to enhance the appearance of natural stone. For example, oxides are used to make the color redder, or oil to make black shades darker. These aren't permanent, so be sure to watch out for these. One way to determine the natural color of the stone is to look at the underside of the stone. You wouldn't want your kitchen countertop to give out a fake beauty now, would you?
Check for cracks
Cracks can be considered normal in natural stone, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't avoid them either. To check for cracks, you can pour water on the surface and wipe it off. Cracks would collect more water and would be slower to dry than the rest of the surface. Checking for cracks is important especially for countertops and granite tops for the kitchen where spills usually happen.
Moisture absorption
You should also check or moisture absorption. You can pour water over the surface and then check how the stone would react. Marble and granite are supposed to handle moisture well, but if the stone has holes and cracks, changes in color should be apparent after pouring water. This tells you whether the stone absorbs moisture quickly and whether you're going to spend extra for sealing the surface.
These are some of the defects that you should be watchful of when buying natural stone for your home. Some of these may be unavoidable in some instances, but if you have your doubts then better select another slab or design, or get the stone at a lower price. Being aware of these possible issues allows you to be a smarter natural stone buyer.
