Granite is a igneous rock that contains at least 20% quartz by volume, but also some mica and feldspar. It’s mined from around the world, including quarries in India, Brazil, Norway, Italy and China.

Environmental Impact – Granite is durable and recyclable, but it requires large amounts of energy for transport, and mining is very resource intensive.

Pros – Each slab is unique, hard, durable, scratch-resistant, impervious to stains, heat and water when sealed, relatively easy to clean. Comes in all colors, still highly covetable with an even higher resale value.

Cons – Expensive, heavy, needs annual resealing, ubiquitous, “granite fatigue”.Expensive, heavy, needs annual resealing, ubiquitous, “granite fatigue”.