Black Galaxy granite opinions??

13 years ago

I am a newbie here and have spent the past several months lurking and reading and learning so much through all the wonderful posts on here. My new flooring was installed last week, my cabinets yesterday and I am now down to the crunch and have to pick out a countertop tomorrow as the fellow is coming by to measure. My cabinets are Ikea Adel Medium Brown, if anyone is familiar with that, and the flooring a handshaved reddish-brown. About a wall and a half of the kitchen is mostly windows, southern exposure, so I"m pretty sure we have enough light to easily have a black countertop. I was going to go with Absolute but then thought I wanted a bit more punch. My husband loves Black Galaxy and I love it, too, especially when it "twinkles." My only concern is whether I will "love it long time." I generally don't like fussy but prefer simpler but like I say, I really do like the look of the Galaxy. Any thoughts at all??? Cleanup isn't so much a concern. I wipe my counters every day anyway and am committed to having to do so religiously if I go with black granite. Thanks so much :)

Featured Answer

Buehl

13 years ago

Yes, some black stones have been dyed (especially those from China). To tell if you have dyed black granite (Black Galaxy, Absolute Black, etc.), test it. The test is in the Stone Advice thread I linked to previously.

The black color along the edge may or may not be dye, so it's better to test it specifically for dye rather than assume it's dyed when you see a black edge.

If it's dyed, don't get it. They dye will start coming off and you'll be left w/a splotchy stone that will eventually return to whatever color it was originally.

Comments (11)

sevrm
13 years ago
Doesn't Black Galaxy have tiny copper colored sparkles in it? I think that would look great with your medium brown cabinets.
dollfanz
13 years ago
I have black galaxy, actually star galaxy with the same cabinets you have. I love it. You can't hurt this granite and it doesn't need sealing. My kitchen doesn't get much light and it still looks fine. Give me a minute and I will send you some pictures.
Related Professionals
Albany Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Beavercreek Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Everett Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Hemet Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Andover Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Bloomingdale Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Calverton Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Deerfield Beach Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Galena Park Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Honolulu Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Park Ridge Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Wells Branch Cabinets & Cabinetry · Roxbury Crossing Tile and Stone Contractors · Glassmanor Design-Build Firms · Woodland Design-Build Firms
minette99
13 years ago
I have Black Galaxy for 1.5 years since re-doing my kitchen. I love it -- easy to clean, bullet -proof and the twinkle at night is just gorgeous! Yes, the flecks are copper. If you love it then go for it! Good luck! :)
koolforkatz
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you :) it's funny because when I first saw my cabinets hanging up I thought "black galaxy" and the other choices kind of went out the window. I think it would go perfectly with the cabinets. Funny, 'cause I only picked up a sample of it my THIRD trip to the granite shop. And BTW, of course, I asked about the sealing and they said, oh, yes, it definitely had to be sealed. Has anyone had it sealed and not had any problems?
dollfanz
13 years ago
These pictures are a year old. It wasn't quite finished. But it gives you an idea what yours would look like with the Adel cabinets.
koolforkatz
Original Author
13 years ago
Oooh.... nice, Dollfanz! Thanks for posting that - nice kitchen! The combo is so nice together. Very striking.
Buehl
13 years ago
Check the absorption rate...I think you'll find it's too dense to take a sealer (absorption rate From the Stone Advice thread (linked in the "Read Me" thread):
BUT: Not all stones need sealer either. Stones like Blue Pearl, Ubatuba, Black Galaxy, Verde Peacock, Verde Butterfly, Platinum Pearl and many others are too dense to absorb any liquids - sealers included. Sealers only protect stone from staining through absorption, so in stones with low absorption coefficients, sealing would be superfluous.

Sealing dense stones could lead to nasty results, such as streaking and ghost etching, so DO NOT go by the motto of "seal it anyway, it could not hurt". Rather test your stone for absorption by dripping water on it to see if it darkens any. If the water has no effect on the stone, sealing it is unnecessary.

Thread: Stone Information and Advice (& Checklists)

Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens!
Buehl
13 years ago
Kitchens in the Finished Kitchens Blog (FKB) with Black Galaxy:

http://delicious.com/starpooh/c1:Counter_Granite:Black_Galaxy?detail=1
koolforkatz
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks, Buehl for both. From what I read I didn't think it needed sealing either. I've asked and they said "Oh, yes, it does," but I'm a bit nervous about it all. On the other hand at this stage of the game, I'm also tired of arguing with contractors and suppliers ;)
dollfanz
13 years ago
Thank you. BTW, they really shouldn't be sealing it. It will just sit on top. Also make sure it is true black galaxy and not fake dyed. My brother was sold fake black galaxy and had to have it all yanked out. How you can tell is look at the raw edge of the slab. If it's doctored, you will see the black dye there.