Introduction

[J Thomas]

Hello!
My name is J Thomas and I am a new member of this alliance. I am a homeowner who lives in the midwest - frigid place today with wind, snow and bitter cold temperatures. My wife and I are contemplating the installation of granite countertops and are still struggling with selection of color for a small kitchen with no windows. I am a member of other granite discussion forums and have learned quite a bit from the terrific threads that are contained in all the forums. So, hello to all and I thank you for this informative source of information.

My first question relates to Ubatuba and Violetta - both hard stones I understand. I have read that Ubatuba tends to chip when the edges are eased and polished. Somewhere I read that this stone should have a bevel edge to minimize chipping. Is this accurate? Is the information correct for Violetta as well? We are looking for a stone that will minimize the yellowness of oak cabinets. Wall color is deep rose. Any suggestions would be welcomed.

Thanks for allowing this homeowner to join your discussion!

J Thomas

[Topshop]

Actually Ubatuba is about as soft of a granite as you can get - and not the most structurally stable one either. I cringe every time I hear that someone is thinking of putting it in. It is riddled with fissures which can easily turn into cracks if installed or handled improperly.

I am not sure about violetta - I hear it is a hard stone but have not worked with it yet.

I recomend most stones have at least a bevel edge on it to reduce the chance of chipping which means no pencil or straight edge.

I would suggest maybe Bianco Romano, Shivkashi Light, or kashmere White for a dark, small kitchen. All have either garnet specks or a rose color wave which will compliment your walls.

[StoneBuddy]

I agree with TopShop, especially about the edges.

Most chip repairs I have done in the past year have been Uba Tuba. Seems it doesn't take much to chip around the sink or stove where pots are handled.

[J Thomas]

Thank you for your comments regarding UbaTuba. Despite loving the color of that stone I will take your comments to heart and look for something else.

In your restoration experience have you had many calls to restore Violetta and if so what types of problems did this stone present to you?

Thanks for the help!

J Thomas

[Huligar]

Thomas, If you want green granite like uba tuba you can. I want you to realize that the group of guys that you are asking your questions to are restoration guys, we see the worst of the worse so we tend to tell you the worse. Here is my advice to you, go and look at the slab, if it have amber lines or small crystals do not pick it. a full bull nose will also eliminate any chance of chipping. now you have all the information that you need to go out and purchase your counter top surface.

It would be real nice if you can keep us up to date. We love before and after pictures.

[Eric W]

Violetta is a very hard stone and very pretty. Edge profile, I tend to favor the half round or half bullnose, for one it will make the edge seem thicker and two a full bullnose will allow a water spill to flow right in to the drawers of the cabinets.

[Topshop]

I like the half bullnose myself. That is what is in my kitchen - except for in Labrador Brown Antique.

[Huligar]

So what stone did you pick?

[J Thomas]

Huligar,
We haven't picked any stone yet. The project is in a stall because of other priorities. It will get done sometime in the next two years I hope. We've decided against UbaTuba because it is too dark for the small windowless space. However we are hoping to be able to view the following stones when we are ready. Any opinions about any of the following? Your opinion is respected!


Typhoon Green
African Ivory
Bianco Romano
Verde Fontaine (nice gray/green calm stone)
Virginia Mist (beautiful dark gray with white streaks)
Millenium Cream or Dream (calm light neutral stone)

Thanks for remembering us. We appreciate the assistance this site gives.

[Rickj]

Small kitchen, no windows......stick with light colors.

Re edge.....stay away from anything sharp....I have bevelled edge and now its all chipped...agree with half bulnose recco.