How Granite Sources Affect Appearance and Cost
At Superior Stone & Cabinet, we pride ourselves on being leaders in the granite industry. With decades of hands-on experience and direct relationships with trusted quarries around the globe, we guide our customers through every step of their countertop journey. In this article, we’ll take you behind the scenes to show where your beautiful kitchen countertops come from. From the vibrant quarries in Brazil and India to the artisanal finishes of Italy and Spain, we provide a comprehensive look at how global granite sources shape the appearance and cost of your countertops. With our expert insights and unparalleled market knowledge, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how quality stone is sourced, processed, and delivered directly to your home—ensuring you receive the best value and craftsmanship in every project.
Brazil
Exports and Volume
Brazil is one of the largest suppliers of granite in the world. Every year, Brazil exports around 300,000 to 500,000 tons of granite. The export value is about $150 million.
Popular Granite Colors
Brazilian granite is famous for many bright and bold colors. Some well-known names are:
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- Ubatuba: A dark granite that looks almost black with a green tint and tiny gold flecks.
- Santa Cecilia: A warm, golden stone with a mix of colors in small specks.
- Imperial Red: A very bold red stone that stands out.
- Giallo Ornamental: A tan stone with a pretty, decorative pattern.
Grain and Mineral Contents
Granite is made of tiny crystals. Brazilian granite usually has three main minerals:
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- Quartz (30–40%): This makes the stone hard and bright in some spots.
- Feldspar (40–50%): This mineral gives most of the color. In dark stones like Ubatuba, the feldspar is mixed with darker minerals.
- Mica (10–20%): This adds dark flecks and helps make the color deep.
Tariffs and Price Effects
When countries import Brazilian granite, they may add a tariff of 5–15%. This is a fee that makes the stone cost a bit more. Even with these tariffs, Brazilian granite is still popular because the quarrying cost is low, and the stone is very competitive in price.
India
Exports and Volume
India is a powerhouse in granite production. Every year, India exports over 1 million tons of granite. The total value of these exports is estimated to be between $700 and $800 million.
Popular Granite Colors
Indian granite comes in many colors and patterns. Some popular varieties include:
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- Tan Brown: A medium-brown stone with a smooth and even pattern.
- Kashmir White: A light, clean stone with gentle veining.
- Black Pearl: A very dark stone with a shine that makes it look like it has tiny pearls.
Grain and Mineral Contents
Indian granite is made of the same basic minerals as other granites:
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- Quartz (25–45%): Adds strength and light spots.
- Feldspar (40–55%): This is the main color-giving mineral. For example, Tan Brown granite gets its warm tone mostly from feldspar.
- Mica (10–15%): Gives the stone its sparkle and depth, especially in darker stones like Black Pearl.
Tariffs and Price Effects
India often benefits from trade agreements with many countries. However, tariffs on Indian granite generally range from 10–20%. Even with these tariffs, Indian granite is popular because it is affordable and comes in many beautiful designs.
China
Exports and Volume
China is an important player in the granite market. Every year, China exports around 800,000 tons of granite. The value of these exports is about $70–$80 million.
Popular Granite Colors
Chinese granite is known for its clean, modern look. Common varieties include:
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- White Pearl: A bright stone that is mostly white with hints of light gray.
- Gray Pearl: A soft gray stone with small, even speckles.
Other Chinese granites may have mixed tones and unique patterns that come from local variations.
Grain and Mineral Contents
Chinese granite has the same key ingredients as other granites:
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- Quartz (30–50%): This mineral helps make the stone bright.
- Feldspar (30–50%): The type of feldspar used influences the stone’s color, whether it is more gray, white, or with a hint of red or yellow.
- Mica (10–20%): Adds a bit of shine and texture to the stone.
Tariffs and Price Effects
Tariffs on Chinese granite can be higher in some markets. For example, in the United States, tariffs might be 10–15% or more. These tariffs increase the final price of Chinese granite. This makes Chinese granite a less competitive choice in some cases when compared to other sources.
Spain
Exports and Volume
Spain is known for high-quality granite. Though Spain does not export as much granite as Brazil or India, its annual export volume is about 50,000–100,000 tons. The export value is around $70–$80 million.
Popular Granite Colors
Spanish granite is often used in high-end projects. Popular types include:
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- Rosso Alicante: A deep red granite with a very uniform look.
- Verde Guatemala: A green granite with subtle variations that make it look elegant.
Grain and Mineral Contents
Spanish granite has a balanced mix of minerals:
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- Quartz (30–45%): Makes the stone durable and adds bright spots.
- Feldspar (40–55%): This is the main source of color. The mix of feldspars gives the granite its red, green, or brown shades.
- Mica (10–15%): Adds small specks and a refined texture.
Tariffs and Price Effects
Because Spain is a member of the European Union, Spanish granite has low tariffs within Europe. When it is exported outside the EU, tariffs may be around 5–10%. This helps keep the price of Spanish granite high, even though it is made in smaller quantities.
Italy
Exports and Volume
Italy produces granite that is known more for its beauty than for high volume. Italy exports about 30,000–50,000 tons per year. Even though Italy exports less granite, the stone is sold at a premium price.
Popular Granite Colors
Italian granite is famous for its luxury and style. Popular names include:
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- Bianco Romano: A white granite with soft gray lines that make it look elegant.
- Verde Alpi: A light green stone with hints of blue and gray, favored for high-end designs.
Grain and Mineral Contents
Italian granite usually has:
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- Quartz (35–50%): This gives the stone a light, shiny look in varieties like Bianco Romano.
- Feldspar (35–50%): The feldspar helps give the granite its rich color.
- Mica (10–15%): Adds fine speckles and improves the overall look.
Tariffs and Price Effects
Italian granite benefits from low tariffs within the EU. When sold outside Europe, the tariffs can be 5–15%. Italian granite is the most expensive because it is made with careful, artisanal methods and has a high-quality finish. The high cost is also due to Italy’s higher production costs and limited volume.
Turkey
Exports and Volume
Turkey is an emerging supplier in the granite market. Each year, Turkey exports around 200,000 tons of granite. Its export value is estimated between $12–$13 million.
Popular Granite Colors
Turkish granite is known for its natural earth tones. The stone comes in many colors such as deep reds, warm browns, and neutral grays. Although Turkish granite is not always given specific names, it is often described by its color family, such as “red granite” or “brown granite.”
Grain and Mineral Contents
The composition of Turkish granite is similar to other granites:
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- Quartz (30–45%): Helps the stone be strong and bright.
- Feldspar (40–55%): This gives the granite its natural color.
- Mica (10–15%): Adds texture and small flecks that make the stone more interesting.
Tariffs and Price Effects
Turkey benefits from trade agreements, especially with European countries. Tariffs on Turkish granite can be low within the EU. In markets like the United States, the tariffs are around 5–10%. This helps keep Turkish granite affordable while still offering good quality.
Which Country Produces the Most Expensive Granite?
When it comes to price, Italian granite usually is the most expensive. Here are some reasons why:
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- Limited Production and High Labor Costs: Italy makes less granite but uses very careful methods to cut and finish the stone.
- Artisanal Finishing: The traditional methods used in Italy produce a very high-quality finish.
- Premium Market Position: Italian granite is seen as a luxury product.
- Tariff Benefits: Within the European Union, Italian granite has low tariffs, yet it still sells at a high price outside Europe because of its quality and craftsmanship.
How Tariffs Affect Prices
Tariffs are fees that importing countries add when they bring in goods from another country. Here is how tariffs affect each type of granite:
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- Brazilian Granite: With tariffs between 5–15%, Brazilian granite stays competitive because its quarrying costs are low.
- Indian Granite: Tariffs of 10–20% still allow Indian granite to be affordable because of the large volumes and competitive prices.
- Chinese Granite: Tariffs in some markets, like the United States, can be 10–15% or more, which makes Chinese granite cost more.
- Spanish and Italian Granite: These stones often have low tariffs within Europe (5–10%) but can cost more outside Europe. Italian granite, in particular, has higher production costs and is made with special methods, so it is the most expensive.
- Turkish Granite: Low tariffs within the EU and modest tariffs in other regions (5–10%) help keep Turkish granite affordable and attractive.
Conclusion
At Superior Stone & Cabinet, we are true experts in granite sourcing. We work directly with trusted quarries in Brazil, India, China, Spain, Italy, and Turkey. Because we are a wholesaler with deep knowledge of these markets, we have built strong relationships that allow us to import high-quality granite at competitive prices. We pass those savings on to our customers, ensuring you get the best value along with the natural beauty and durability of our stone.
We invite you to visit our 60,000-square-foot showroom and warehouse to see our granite collections in person. You can also get a free in-home estimate, where our experts will bring samples right to your door. With our intimate market expertise and commitment to excellence, you can trust us to help you choose the perfect granite for your project.