Helpful Information About Black Galaxy Granite

Black Galaxy is one of the names of granite you will find in our gallery. This is one of many different types of natural granite that people use for kitchen countertops and other surfaces. As with most granite, there are some specific features that Black Galaxy possesses. Additionally, there are some traits that make this granite unique. In this article, we won't go into too much detail about the unique qualities of Black Galaxy. We will mention some brief comments about the composition or the visual appearance or both, but the majority of this article will talk about working with Black Galaxy and how to take of it.

Why Black Galaxy Granite

One of the first things to contemplate when considering any granite surface is why people choose it. There are many reasons people select natural granite for kitchen countertops. Black Galaxy Granite has many of the benefits that virtually all natural granite offers. It does however, have some characteristics that make it what it is. And like many other stone surfaces knowing a bit about the composition can be helpful. The following quote was taken from the description of a photo written by a geologist about Black Galaxy.

A Proterozoic-aged norite from India’s Eastern Ghats Orogenic Belt. This is probably the most popular and attractive black granite available in the commercial decorative stone trade. It has blackish plagioclase feldspar and bronzite pyroxene crystals. Bronzite is an orthopyroxene and it has a spectacular copper-colored play of color on cut & polished surfaces (even on broken surfaces). The result is a rock surface reminiscent of sparkling stars in space, hence the commercial name "Black Galaxy". This rock is quarried in the Chimkurthi area, Prakasam District, Andhra Pradesh State, southern India.

In addition to those basic comments, many other important facts about Black Galaxy are helpful to be aware of. We'll consider some additional helpful information about this remarkable natural stone.

What Black Galaxy Granite Is Made Of

As with most natural granite, Black Galaxy is a composition of primarily natural quartz and/or feldspar. It can contain other materials, but the main minerals are those in most cases.

The minerals that make up a Black Galaxy Granite slab give it some qualities that people are drawn to. Some of these qualities translate into practical properties for daily use and care.

Black Galaxy Properties

One of the big advantages of natural granite over other hard countertop surface materials is that it is very hard. Materials such as Black Galaxy Granite are scratch resistant because of the hardness of the material. Black Galaxy is also heat resistant. Unlike some engineered stone, granite can resist heat and does not burn or discolor.

Black Galaxy natural granite is also very unique. Not just unique from other stone, but it is also distinct from other Black Galaxy slabs. Choosing your specific slab is encouraged since each stone can vary one from another.

Black Galaxy Stone Fabrication

Fabricating Black Galaxy Granite can be easy or it can be a challenge. The difference in difficulty come from the different degrees of knowledge, skill, and equipment that the one doing the work possesses. So, the easiest way to work with Black Galaxy natural granite is to pay a professional to do the work. The knowledge of the industry and the quality equipment can really make a difference in the results.

One piece of equipment that fabricators use is polishing pads. These abrasive discs are available in various styles, sizes and types. There are wet polishing pads as well as polishing pads that used in dry environments. A polished finish is only one kind of finish that Black Galaxy can have though. There are others. One example is a leathered, or antiqued finish. Again, achieving this kind of finish depends on using the proper tool; a set of Finishing brushes for granite. The result is a stone that is not as glossy or shiny as a polished finish but has just as distinct of a look.

Black Galaxy Granite Care

Even though Black Galaxy Granite surfaces are durable and tough, to keep the natural beauty for which you invested in the surface, a plan for taking care of the stone will be necessary. There are two main aspects of caring for your Black Galaxy surface. Let's take a brief look at each of these aspects.

Maintaining the Seal

Even before your surface arrived in your home it was being given treatments to prepare it for the "day in, day out" wear and tear that comes from normal household use. One of the treatments the surface underwent was an initial sealing. Granite slabs get sealed to make them less absorbent. Natural granite is porous. And some Black Galaxy Granite slabs are more porous than others. So slabs get an initial sealing to help them be more resistant to water-based and oil-based liquids that can penetrate the pores and stain them.

One of the parts of caring for your Black Galaxy surface includes periodically sealing the stone using a natural stone sealer. In the case of a Black Galaxy Granite kitchen countertop, you may want to choose a food safe granite sealer designed especially for eating surfaces. Treating the surface when the stone begins losing its repellent nature is the first part of the two-pronged care process.

Cleaning Black Galaxy Surfaces

In addition to sealing your Black Galaxy surface, regular cleaning plays a major role in caring for the stone. In fact, there is more than one facet to cleaning a granite surface. The first is daily cleaning using a natural stone cleaner that is formulated to clean without dissolving your stone sealer. Doing this will ensure that you are not resealing your Black Galaxy} surfaces more frequently than you need to.

Another type of cleaning that you may need to perform is a stain removal. There are various kinds of cleaners for stone surfaces. And when a stone's pores are exposed because of not being sealed or from the use of the wrong kinds of daily cleaners specific cleaner may be needed. For example, if a stone is stained from olive oil, a stain remover may be needed to draw the oil out of the stone. By cleaning daily using the proper cleaner however, your Black Galaxy Granite surfaces (especially countertops) will be in the best position to repel stain-causing liquids.

About Maintaining Black Galaxy

It really just boils down to putting together a regular routine of cleaning and sealing your natural Black Galaxy Granite surface. Once you get the routine into full swing, it just becomes second nature. A good routine for maintaining natural granite, including Black Galaxy, basically involves the following:

• Use a pH neutral cleaner to keep the sealer from breaking down and clean any debris from the surface.
• Reseal the surface of your granite surface when it gets "thirsty"*.
• Using a fortified stone polish periodically gradually maintains the sealer on the surface of the natural stone.

In conclusion, granite surfaces like Black Galaxy make very durable surfaces for the home and can ber a challenge to install yourself. Having your Black Galaxy Granite countertop installed by a professional with the proper tools and equipment will yield the best results. Additionally, how you care for the surface after the installation will go a long way toward years of performance from your Black Galaxy kitchen countertop surface.