7 Most Popular Colors for Granite Countertops
As a natural stone and construction material, granite comes in a variety of colors that are defined by geological occurrences. Granite comes from igneous rocks that have been cut, formed, and treated for use in flooring and countertops. Granite can either be natural or engineered as artificial slabs or tiles that mimic the properties and appearance of igneous stones. In some cases, engineered granite made from quartz crystals is more durable than natural granite.
With this in mind, here is a list of 7 granite colors that are very popular options for countertops, brought to you by the Stone Care Experts at Granite Gold™.
The Colorful World of Granite
Granite is an incredibly popular natural stone used for countertops, floors, and other architectural and design elements. One of the most striking aspects of granite is the wide array of colors it occurs in - from light cream and beige tones to deep reds, greens, blues, and everything in between.
So why does granite display such a vibrant rainbow of hues? The colors arise from the varied mineral composition of the rock. Granite is an igneous rock, which means it was once molten and formed from the cooling of magma or lava.
As the hot liquid rock cooled and solidified, different colored minerals crystallized and became part of the granite. The most common rock-forming minerals in granite include:
- Quartz - Translucent white, gray or pinkish crystals
- Feldspar - White, pink, green or red crystals
- Mica - Black, silver, green or brown flat sheets
- Amphiboles - Green, brown or black elongated crystals
- Other accessory minerals like garnets, zircons, iron oxides etc.
The specific blend of these mineral types and their relative abundances account for the particular color and visual pattern seen in a granite slab. Granites with more quartz tend towards lighter shades, while those rich in amphiboles and other dark colored minerals appear darker.
In addition, the conditions under which the granite formed deep in the earth's crust impart color variations. Higher temperature origins generally yield lighter hues, while those subjected to chemical alterations can produce vibrant colors from oxidized iron components.
So the next time you admire a beautiful granite countertop or floor, appreciate the unique mineralogical fingerprint that nature created over millions of years! The color diversity of granite is a testament to the complexity of the geological processes involved in its formation.
1. Beige
Traditional homeowners gravitate toward beige because it evokes natural colors of sand mixed with crystals. Lighter shades of beige resemble beach sand. Beige granite is more common on floors than on countertops. However, this color can provide nice contrasts. Interiors that have been decorated with Southwestern motifs often look better with beige granite.
2. White
The key to choosing white granite is to look for quartz-like colors with attractive veins that mix well with the rest of the house. Plain white granite sometimes looks too much like ceramic tiles used in the bathrooms and inpatient hospital wards. White granite is recommended for smaller properties since it can help create an illusion of more interior space.
3. Black
Black granite is another favorite among traditional homeowners. Black tones are common in metamorphic rocks like marble and in engineered granite treated to mimic the appearance of marble. Black is good choice to contrast light-colored cabinets.
4. Red
While red may not seem like a conventional color, homeowners and interior decorators often choose it when they know exactly how to match it with certain furnishings, decorations, and accents. Red is better when the veins of the stone are black or dark grey.
5. Blue
The cyan tones found in geological formations tend to be striking and precious. Manufacturers of engineered granite often replicate the blue tones of the semiprecious gem lapis lazuli. This choice of granite color may look better in bathrooms than in the kitchen.
6. Green
This is a very popular choice among homeowners who have breakfast nooks or dining areas overlooking greenbelts, golf courses, or nature preserves. Green granite countertops are in especially high demand among homeowners in California and Florida, and they look great in homes that have sliding glass doors leading to gardens or panoramic windows and balconies with views of nature.
7. Gray
Modern homes that have white cabinets or light wood surfaces can be complimented with gray tones, particularly in the kitchen. Homeowners can choose between dark and light gray combinations. Dark is preferred when the furniture and decorations need to be contrasted, while light gray can be used to give the sense of more space in smaller homes.
Whichever color of granite you choose for your home, make sure you know how to care for it properly and clean it regularly with a specially formulated granite cleaner such as Granite Gold Daily Cleaner®. If you’d like information on cleaning, sealing, and polishing your granite countertops, get in touch with Granite Gold® today at 1-800-475-STONE.