Q. Why does black granite fade?A. The answer is, black granite should not fade. Black granite imported from Asia is sometimes doctored with dyes and oils to darken the surface. The fading is nothing more than the dyes and oils being removed. You can... Read More

Q: In India, I have heard that Travertine stone is doctored by adding a substrate to the base of another hard cheaper stone. How can I know whether it is so without breaking it?A: Many of the black granites from India are darkened with dyes, but to... Read More

Step-by-Step Guidance to Achieve a Wet or Polished Look on Slate: 1. Understand the Surface Finish You Have If the slate has a cleft (rough or layered) finish, polishing in the traditional sense is not practical. If the slate has been ground flat... Read More

Q. I have Emerald Pearl in my kitchen and Black galaxy in my bathroom. Both are dull not shiny. When you wipe them with a wet cloth they look GREAT as soon as they dry dull. I want them to look shiny like a sheet of glass How can I do this??? A.... Read More

Q. I have a granite table with a lacquer finish that has been removed. With the use of silica sand to smooth it and Clorox and water to clean it, the grey, silver and black faded to a much lighter color. I heard to darken it, you can use a dye resin.... Read More

Q. Can one re-dye or darken Black Galaxy granite? Acetone did not remove any black coloring only a grey slurry during the honing process. A.  For additional help, contact your stone and tile restoration contractor. A sealer will need to be applied... Read More

Q. Do you have any polishing compound for granite? I just installed new granite and in case I get any "etching" spots like I did on my marble when I spilled a can of soda on it I want to have something on hand. Would your marble polishing compound... Read More

Q. There are dark areas on my new granite seat in the travertine shower stall. I've been trying to dry out the areas with a fan and a hair dryer over a week, but they haven't returned to the normal color. How long should I wait for the... Read More

Q: Our home is custom and less than a year old. We purchased St Lorent (sp?) black/red veined marble...expensive and lovely. We clean it twice weekly and wash off interior daily with water. It has dull streaks (like water falling down) on the... Read More

Q. Our dark granite counters are smooth but porous. No amount of cleaning, polishing, sealing leaves a lustrous, even finish. We have light granite counters in another home that clean and polish with no imperfections. Can they be refinished and... Read More