Granite, like marble and other stones, is as old as the earth. Granite is the second hardest stone (diamond being the first) and is created from molten rock. It is found world wide, in countries such as Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States. In addition to its strength, granite is a very beautiful stone that adds color and warmth to a room. A frequent choice of designers for decades, granite countertops have now become popular with the public. There are literally hundreds of granite countertop colors including whites, browns, reds, greens, blues and black. The variations of the minerals in each base color creates hundreds more possible variations on the basic colors.

Home remodelers and home builders have experienced an explosion in the demand for granite countertops in kitchens and bathrooms. The beauty and warmth of granite makes it an ideal material for aesthetic appeal in home design. The natural beauty found in granite countertop colors complement any most tone of wood or style of cabinetry from rustic country to more contemporary styles.

Brown and beige tones are the most popular, as they work well with many kitchen color schemes and allows for flexibility in future redecorating. Today, the black and blue colors are becoming increasingly popular, with prices that reflect the demand. Some of the granite colors exhibit "movement" or a design within the natural color, while others possess small patterns. The combination of color and movement means that no two countertops look alike.

Opinions regarding the color that is best for a kitchen will vary. Dark cabinets can be warmed up with a light colored stone, while light colored cabinets can be anchored with a dark stone. When choosing the granite that will be added to a kitchen dcor, it is best not to make selections from chips that the decorator or major retailer has on hand. There is so much variation in the color and movement in each stone that it is important to go to the supplier and look at each slab. The slab needs to be reserved at the time of decision, or it may not be available at a later time.

When shopping for granite countertop colors, it's not possible to locate a match for a specific name of a color found at a model home or mentioned in a decorating magazine. There is not a set list of names, or industry entity that regulates the names to be used. The country of origin will have its own name for each color, and then each of the suppliers, fabricators, installers and retailers will also have their own names. The numerous variations of color in each slab creates additional opportunities for new names. It takes research and visits to the suppliers to help simplify the process. Remember, it's not the name of the granite color that matters, it's the mineral qualities present in the stone.