Understanding Genuine Italian Granite and Cause for Its Higher Cost
Granite is a great material to build floors, countertops, and wall tiles of. One thing which confuses a lot of people when it comes to granite is the wildly different pricing. Low-grade granite and better quality granite priced completely differently. It almost feels like they are two different materials.
It is hard to identify precisely what increases the cost and which granite is better if you don’t have the proper knowledge of the material and the way this particular market works. Here’s a quick guide to educate you on the factors that you should take into account when it comes to granite slab prices.
Durability/Purity
Not all granite is made equal. The cheapest granite you buy will be the least durable. This is because it has a lot of soft rocks mixed in it to increase the weight without increasing the cost too much. This is also why Italian granite costs more; it is one of the ‘purest’ forms of granite you can buy.
This increases its durability. This is also why so many people think granite is a weak substance; most of us have only seen cheap granite and it is always chipping away or cracked because of the low quality.
Country of Origin
The most important factor when it comes to the quality of granite is the country of origin. Granite is extracted, not made. Granite is formed as the magma below the crust of the earth crystallizes. This is a natural process that happens over thousands of years. If a country did not have the right geological conditions over the past thousand years, there is just no way that the granite extracted from there will be of good quality.
That is why you often find very cheap granite coming from places which are known to have low quality granite. Italian granite and Brazilian granite are the most expensive varieties because these have the highest quality in the world.
Beauty
Beauty matters a lot when it comes to granite. Italian granite is known for its beautiful patterns and soothing colors. The more obscure the color you want, the higher you will have to pay for it. Since the color is naturally formed, some colors are much rarer than others. The color depends on the minerals and impurities in the granite as well as the natural conditions which lead to the formation of the granite.
Thickness
Granite is extracted in huge slabs from quarries. Some companies, in order to increase the amount of product, cut these slabs into thin pieces. This vastly reduces their durability. If you have seen countertops that broke in half, this was most likely the reason.
A good granite supplier should have thick slabs of this amazing natural stone available for you. Our Italian granite reaches us in thick slabs and we reduce its size only if the customer has a specific requirement.
These are just some of the factors that affect the price of Italian granite and make it higher than the rest. The country of origin is the easiest way to ensure that the granite you are buying is of the highest quality possible.