Is It Granite, Quartz Or Something Else?

[vvix 0]

Hi,

I intent to use a kind of stone for my kitchen countertop but cannot identify the name of the material.

To describe it, it is a kind of stone that is black in colour with "sparking stars". Confirm not solid surface. Reflection of light is not caused by the surface. There are many small tiny "mirrors" scarttered all over (but underneath) the surface that easily reflect white light and cause very beautiful sparkles.

I have saw some washrooms in high-class hotels using it (Pan Pacific, etc). The white basin is normally undermount with the black sparking vanity top. Very nice... !!

When I spoke with IDs, they said it is the granite called "Black Galaxy". First look really seems like it. But however the sparking is not as much and mostly the reflected light is golden in colour.

Goggled and it seems like engineered stone made of quartz. Something like it, but I am still not sure... pls help... !!

[applefreak 1]

i believe you are referring to granite countertops

first guess would have been black galaxy as well but it really depends on where the granite is from

you are looking for sparkle in gold or NOT in gold?

i'd suggest a trip down to a granite supplier to look at the real thing

[Nipponho 0]

I saw it yesterday, happened to pass by a tile shop at geylang. It was something like $15psf. The price is more of concern to me than whether is it quartz or granite. Your black one is nice, but I was more attracted by the blood red one, very mesmerising, but at $15psf...... Did you notice there is a red version?

Many hotels & restaurants have it.

[vvix 0]

This is the black galaxy counter-top I am planning to use for my kitchen cabinet and vanity cabinet.

It looks nice, very natural, goldish sparkles. Very nice compared to typical counter-tops.

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.

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However, I chance upon the wash room at Pan Pacific and then saw them using a totally different material, not black galaxy, because very beautiful white sparkles, not plastic, feels like stone... but what is it? !!

[applefreak 1]

usually those with sparkles are granite coz the quartz i've seen are simply lacking in that area

try to go down to granite suppliers to take a look at the various types of stones

one place to check out is hup kiong along balestier road, although they sell tiles they have a variety of granite tiles available !!

[vvix 0]

Are there different grades or variation of "Black Galaxy"? Different types for gold and white sparkles?

Or "Black Galaxy" can only be from India and only 1 grade and 1 type?

[applefreak 1]

think there are several grades of black galaxy

i'm using blue pearl and there are many different grades of blue pearl

the highest grade being the ones with the most 'blue' sparkles

maybe someone using black galaxy can give some advice???

[masschaoz 0]

think there are several grades of black galaxy

i'm using blue pearl and there are many different grades of blue pearl

the highest grade being the ones with the most 'blue' sparkles

maybe someone using black galaxy can give some advice???

the place where i got mine is known as polished quartz.. basically a type of granite tile.. very ex indeed.. with my father in law's connection wif the boss.. still cost $15.5 psf.. we're using it for our kitchen flooring..

[applefreak 1]

any pix to share?

saw a polished quartz tile at hup kiong before, white base with silver sparkles, can't remember to price but know it out of my budget

[vvix 0]

Hmmm...

I was quoted $110 pfr for Black Galaxy granite counter-top for kitchen cabinet.

Is this reasonable?

How much difference will it be if I want to change it to polished quartz? or those compressed marble (used at Vivocity)?

I want black tiles with silver sparkles...

Edited December 14, 2007 by vvix

[applefreak 1]

do note that countertop uses slabs while flooring uses tiles

it's two different kind, tiles are usually squarish and thinner

whereas slabs are thicker and in rectangular shape.

for countertop, you can use tiles but there'll be a lot of joint lines

for flooring, tiles are usually used coz it's much cheaper

do ensure that your contractor's price is all inclusive i.e. polishing, finishing and cut-outs

quartz is more expensive as it is still relatively new in the market

and to me personally, the colour somehow just can't win granite

[masschaoz 0]

any pix to share?

saw a polished quartz tile at hup kiong before, white base with silver sparkles, can't remember to price but know it out of my budget

i'll have to go to my new place to take pic of the tile.. they juz delivered it over.. price wise i'm not worried cos my father in law is actually my contractor

[vvix 0]

Finally found the material that I wanted (which is also being used at Pan Pacific hotel)...

It is the "Starlight Black" engineered stone from Technistone.

Problem is... can it be found in SG and also how much will it cost? Will it be more expansive than "Black Galaxy" granite?

[applefreak 1]

wow looks very nice

btw is it a rough surface?

if yes may not be a good idea to use as countertop