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Granite is an important structural and
ornamental stone, and due to its high compressive strength and durability,
it is used for massive structural work. Fine-grained granite is employed
for ornamental and monumental work as well as for inscription purposes.
It is the hardest of structural stones. Its mineral-rich colors, the
hardness and density, make it an ideal choice for flooring, counter
tops, vanities as well as exterior applications. A broad range of elegant
patterns and colors makes granite the most versatile and durable of
all stones. It is also the most "maintenance-free" of all stones.
Granite is composed of
quartz, feldspars
and micas, as well as traces of a wide variety of other minerals. These
minerals contribute to the color and texture of the various granites.
Crystal size is somewhat determined by the rate at which the granite
cools: the slower the cooling process, the larger the crystals grow.
Faster cooling produces fine-grained granites. Granites get their wonderful
variety of colors and patterns from minerals that are melted into the
liquid mass as it is formed.
Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota & The Vietnam
War Memorial wall in Washington D.C. are good examples of Granite structures.
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Granites
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