Many varieties of granite can be found throughout the world. Granite slabs are selected based on their color and size and then cut to fit their intended project. After taking millions of years to form beneath the earth’s surface, granite is quarried, cut, and sold for a variety of uses. Granite is a popular building material with an ancient history, prized for thousands of years for its beauty and durability. Today, granite can be found in both private homes and state monuments. To understand how this rock is polished and ready for distribution, let’s follow the journey of a granite slab from a quarry in the US to a local surfacing manufacturer.
Creation
Our story begins with a stream of magma flowing beneath the earth’s crust. Over millions of years, it cooled and crystallized, waiting to be discovered and shaped into something extraordinary. Although some large gray pieces could be seen above ground, it wasn’t until the large deposit was found below ground that the granite surfaced.
surface
A large section of the granite from the quarry wall was cut into one gigantic piece and then re-cut into smaller pieces using a diamond-tipped saw. Finally, the slabs, just under an inch thick and smoothly polished, were shipped to dealers around the world, where they were reshaped after purchase.
find a home
A stencil had been produced, and the dealer’s customers expected to see their stencil laid out on their selected material, Sierra White granite sourced from the USA. The mottled black and white granite gleamed and the couple nodded in approval. An installation date was set and manufacturing began immediately.
The final cuts were made using a digitally controlled machine, creating perfectly precise cuts and flawless, smooth edges. The stone was polished once more and a sealer was applied to protect the surface from staining. The countertops were finally ready.
On the day of installation, the perfectly cut granite was inspected and then installed by two strong men in about four hours. As soon as the job was done, the impressive countertops became the focal point of the room. The next morning no one in the house used the kitchen table. The whole family sat on the bar stools, drinking orange juice and admiring their new countertops.