Granite is a natural rock that is commonly used on countertop surfaces. It is the most famous rock natural rock for countertop surfaces though that is slowly changing with the rise of quartz. It comes in a variety of colors, which makes it ideal for most kitchen countertops. Again, when well-sealed, the rock is easy to maintain and durable. Granite is not only used on countertops, but its diversity makes it ideal for use on buildings and sculptures. For thousands of years, granite colors were only seen in the homes of the wealthy, a spot that is taken by quartz today.
What color is granite? The rock appears naturally in light pink, white, and grey and black. However, most of the stones that are black color are gabbro seeing as granite has to have at least 20-percent quartz to be called by that name. Read on to learn about the various colors available.
Reality: Granite Colors Are Limited
Gray granite colors are standard – this is why most countertops are in grey with speckles of black or white. However, that is about all the colors you might get with this material. While the countertop is marketed as one that boasts a variety of colors, most of these colors cannot be found very quickly.
Granite Countertops Colors
There is no such thing as pure granite countertops. Instead, it is a combination of rocks and minerals. Primarily, the foundation contains quartz, potassium feldspar, amphiboles, mica, and other minerals in trace amounts. Naturally, granite will have between 20 and 60 percent quartz, between 10 and 65 percent feldspar, and up to 15 percent micas. The minerals in the rock determine its colors.
The relative proportion of colored minerals is a result of molten rock that cooled off to form this porous rock. In instances where potassium feldspar is abundant, the resulting color is likely salmon pink that creates a light countertop. If the rock contains more quartz and amphibole than potassium feldspar, the granite will likely be white with black speckles.
In short, more quartz makes granite white, more feldspar give it a light color, potassium feldspar give it a salmon pink color, Biotite gives it the dark brown or black color, Muscovite gives metallic gold or yellow, and amphibole gives black or dark green colors. See what experts from Caesarstone have to see about granite countertops.
Light Granite Countertop
A light granite countertop is, in most cases, salmon pink. Bright granite countertop colors are a result of a large proportion of potassium feldspar. However, even on a pink countertop, you can still see speckles of transparent quartz, opaque white feldspar, and black or gray amphibole.
Sometimes, you will see a light granite countertop advertised as green. However, this is typically heavy in serpentine.
Black Granite Countertops
An all-black rock is most commonly gabbro. Granite needs at least 20 percent quartz, which is whitish or transparent, and as such, any pure black stone is not granite. “Black granite” is gabbro, an intrusive igneous rock made of minerals plagioclase and pyroxene with small amounts of olivine and amphibole.
Ultra-Rare: White Granite Colors
White granite is composed of a large proportion of quartz and feldspar. If a countertop is purely white, it only has these two rocks with no flecks of any other. It is not common to find pure white without speckles of amphibole messing the white. So, if you see a rock marketed as “white granite,” it is mostly not granite – it might be quartz or any other stone but not granite.
Also Rare: Red and Blue Granite
Red granite is also not typical. They are formed from a variation of pink potassium feldspar. If red iron oxide finds its way into the hematite grains or in feldspar, it forms red granite. The same process that makes rusted metal gain a ruby red color is the same that makes red granite.
Some rocks are also advertised ad blue granite countertops, but these are not a pure rock. Larvikite is the rock most commonly sold as blue granite. Anorthosite is another rock that has a lot of labradorite that makes the rock blue in color.
Looking For More Colours? Try Quartz Countertops
What color is granite again? It is either never a single color – mostly white with black and gray speckles or black with white and gray flecks or gray with white and black speckles. Unlike granite, the manufacture of quartz, which is a stronger and nonporous rock, allows the addition of any pigment of choice. This way, you can have quartz in any color imaginable. You can also create unique patterns.
Conclusion
If you are still wondering, what color is granite, because you need to get a specific color, you might not get what you need. Fortunately, neutral colors are available to match any interior design.
