Helpful Information About Emerald Pearl Granite

Emerald Pearl 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 Emerald Pearl 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 Emerald Pearl. 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 Emerald Pearl and how to take of it.

Why Emerald Pearl 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. Emerald Pearl 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 Emerald Pearl.

Larvikite is dominated by large crystals of spectacularly bluish-iridescent (schillerescent) perthitic feldspar (closely intergrown potassium feldspar and plagioclase feldspar). The play of colors is the result of light being dispersed along the plagioclase and K-feldspar crystal boundaries. The smaller black crystals are pyroxene. Varieties of larvikite are popular decorative/ornamental stones known commercially as "Blue Pearl Granite", "Emerald Pearl Granite", and other names.

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

What Emerald Pearl Granite Is Made Of

As with most natural granite, Emerald Pearl 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 Emerald Pearl Granite slab give it some qualities that people are drawn to. Some of these qualities translate into practical properties for daily use and care.

Emerald Pearl Properties

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

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

Fabricating Natural Emerald Pearl Granite

What goes into working with and fabricating Emerald Pearl Granite? Well, for most of us the project is bigger than we are equipped to take on. This is because Emerald Pearl is such a hard material that ordinary tools aren't the best suited for working with it. For example, just drilling a hole in a Emerald Pearl kitchen countertop slab will take a diamond core bit designed to cut through rock. Stone fabrication professionals have all this equipment. Therefore, the project is not only easier for them, but they have more experience actually working with granite. So, cutting, drilling, and installing Emerald Pearl is much easier for them than it would be for a novice.

Even transporting Emerald Pearl natural granite can be a challenge for the average person. Even handy individuals and do-it-yourselfers could find moving a piece of Emerald Pearl Granite form point A to point B. Since Emerald Pearl is heavy, it requires more than one person to move, lift, and adjust it. That doesn't even take into consideration the material handling equipment that one needs to transport it. Additionally, installing Emerald Pearl will require a specific formulated and colored granite glue. These are all supplies that fabricators are familiar with and even already have.

Caring for Your Emerald Pearl Surface

It's true, Emerald Pearl Granite is a natural stone that came to be from intense heat and perhaps pressure. However, your Emerald Pearl surface has undergone some treatments to prepare it for its place in your finished project. As a result, there are some basic facets of taking care of your Emerald Pearl surfaces. They are not difficult and they will keep your Emerald Pearl natural granite looking its best. There are two main methods for caring for your granite. We'll discuss them next.

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 Emerald Pearl 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 Emerald Pearl surface includes periodically sealing the stone using a natural stone sealer. In the case of a Emerald Pearl 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.

Emerald Pearl Cleaning

Besides keeping your Emerald Pearl surfaces and countertops sealed properly, you will also need to use some cleaning techniques designed to yield the best results in your overall maintenance program. In so doing, you will find that there are a couple of aspects to cleaning Emerald Pearl surfaces. The first aspect of cleaning granite is the everyday cleaning tasks. This kind of cleaning would include wiping up spills, splatters, and crumbs from the surface of the stone.

When daily cleaning is being performed, the best cleaner for the job is a pH neutral cleaner. Why us a pH neutral cleaner for natural stone? Because these cleaners do not break down the sealer. Some cleaners will simply remove the sealer that you use to treat the surface of the stone. When this happens it is as if the surface was never sealed in the first place. So, using the appropriate cleaner will retain the benefits you gain by using a natural stone sealer.

In addition to the daily cleaning of Emerald Pearl, and particularly in the event that your sealer has been worn down or dissolved, you may find that you have to remove a stain of some sort. When this happens, you will need a different kind of cleaner. There are a number of specialty cleaners that are formulated to remove specific kinds of discolorations. These kinds of cleaners are often referred to as stain removers. Depending on the kind of stain or discoloration you have, you will need a remover made for that particular substance.

About Maintaining Emerald Pearl

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

As with many other project types, Emerald Pearl is a natural stone that is best fabricated and installed by a professional with both experience and the right equipment. And once the material is installed and initially sealed, maintenance is needed. As we have seen, Emerald Pearl Granite is not a chore to maintain if the proper products are used in the proper manner. Doing so effectively will no doubt provide you with years of performance.