How to Check the Quality and Authenticity of Granite Stone

25 October 2021

Faux-granite countertops and tiling can be quite attractive and appear to be authentic today. Real granite is a natural stone that can last a lifetime and retain its original beauty and lustre. For this reason, you want to ensure that you are not purchasing fake granite by mistake since it will not offer the same high quality, durability and allure.

Reliable Ways to Determine the Quality and Authenticity of Granite Stone

There are some reliable methods of checking the quality and authenticity of granite stone, including the following:

• Examine the Colouration and Pattern. Engineered stone rarely has surface imperfections. However, every slab, panel or tile of natural granite is unique in colour and pattern. Different areas of a slab of granite will not have identical surface patterns or colouration. Even granite surfaces that have more uniform hues and patterning will have some obvious imperfections.
• Look Carefully at the Seam. If a countertop is currently installed in a home kitchen or bathroom, you may want to ensure that it is authentic granite. One way to determine whether the stone is genuine natural granite or manufactured stone is by examining the seam.

Manufactured stone slabs show almost no change in surface patterns at the seam, yet natural granite requires very skilful stone installers to minimise the amount of pattern shifting at the seam. Even when installed by experts, granite slabs will show some signs of pattern changes where they are joined and seamed securely.

• Try the Water Test. Man-made stone has a high content of epoxy resin. Since this faux-granite is nonporous, any water that is spilled or poured on its surfaces will not be absorbed. If you pour a small amount of water on an unsealed natural granite surface, the stone should darken within a few minutes since pure granite is porous.

However, if the natural granite surface is sealed, the water may start to soak into the stone only after 30 minutes or more. If the granite is extremely dense or thoroughly sealed, the water may not soak into the stone at all.

• Use Surface Tapping.By tapping the stone surface gently with a metal object like the tip of a hammer, you may be able to determine if it is genuine granite. If the stone is natural granite, the light tapping will produce a slight ringing sound. Although tapped natural marble creates a louder ring than pure granite, you can still hear the granite ring. Engineered stone, in contrast, produces no ring at all when tapped

When you consult our experienced professionals at Hans International located in Sunshine North, Victoria, you will receive top-rated advice concerning how to tell the difference between natural and faux granite. Our experts are known for providing ultimate quality stone masonry work throughout Melbourne and all surrounding regions.

They are quite familiar with the characteristics of both pure natural granite and engineered granite products. Our excellent team of pros will help ensure that you become skilled at detecting real granite from engineered stone with confidence and certainty.

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