Follow up to GRANITE AND WHAT YOU Don't know.

[Robatoy]

We had a GRANITE discussion, in here, a while back and I just received a very informative email. I thought I'd share that with you guys.

[e-mail] to me show details Dec 28 (2 days ago)

Reply

Interesting to follow your discussions re. granite. First of all, the Blue Pearl is not a granite. It is a syenite. But that actually makes it even better as a kitchentop. It is always referred to as a granite because the usage has been the same for at least a century.

Our company runs a couple of Blue Pearl quarries in Norway. We supply the raw block to traders or company that cut, polish or in any other way makes this stone into a monument, kitchentop tile or whatever. I've read some complains re. the price.... did you know that of every

100 tons we cut out of the mountain 5 tons only is to be used? So a blue pearl block is really not a raw material but a lot of drilling, handling, guessing and testing even before it gets close to somebody cutting it into a kitchentop.

Anyway, there is a lot of confusion with the names here. First of all. All material from the are around the city of Larvik, Norway is called Larvikite. So Blue Pearl is a Larvikite. Secondly each company quarrying the material has their own brands. So... real Blue Pearl is only quarried in Tvedalen (aka Tveidalen) west of Larvik. (Our webpages

has a google map and pictures from the quarry as well). Then you have the Emerald Pearl wich is darker from the other side of town. Then the Silver Pearl wich is much lighter material and considered not so exclusive. Its easier and a lot cheaper to quarry.

I read that one had the Blue Pearl GT. The GT is only short for AS Granit (quarryname). But this quarry has done much better in branding their name than most other. Us included. Our brand is Blue Pearl NC (short for Nilsen Company).

Within each quarry the color can vary a lot. The darker the better and more exclusive. Our quarries is located in the best area and has more of the best (GT) than any other Blue Pearl quarry. I honestly believe that.....

We've had kitchentops in Blue Pearl for years and I have never used any sealing or treated them in any way. Please suggest anything and I will try it in our workshop to see if we can create any stains. Would be great fun to me !

Good luck to all of you, and let me know if there is anything I can do.

Lars

[Robatoy]

[Jay Pique]

Thanks for the follow-up, Robatoy. I'm terrible about it, so I have to say I'm pretty impressed. This group can be such a valuable source of information and camraderie.

JP

[Mark & Juanita]

Agree with that sentiment. It has always amazed me how somebody back in time had the thought, "gee, wonder what happens if I apply a bunch of abrasives to this gray rock?"

That monument is some beautiful stuff.

[Zz Yzx]

Fascinating stuff.

Thanks.

-Zz

[Robatoy]

Breath taking.

I also got a laugh when I saw this shot:

back wheel isn't doing much...

[Mark & Juanita]

Yep, guess 4 wheel drive and steering is required.

Couple of countertops in that block I suspect.

[Greg G]

Don't have a tape measure handy, but that's gotta be over 50 tons - easy.

Greg G.

[Zz Yzx]

That rock will come in at about 2.3 tons per cubic yard.

-Zz

[Edward Hennessey]

Anyone interested in dimensional stone would do well to get copies of "Stone World", the magazine of the finished end of the industry. Online, see

. By the way, as my old email address reflects, it is good to see another son of Zzyzx out in the ether.

Regards,

Edward Hennessey

[Ulv]

I guess this block is not quite 50 tons. The limit for the Komatsu WA600 would be appr. 45..... At

there is a link to a Picasa galleri with more pictures....

1 cubicmeters 1m by 1m by 1m with Blue Pearl is 2,74 tons.

Did you know that Larvikite is about to be voted the national stone of norway. There is a norwegian site

where you can vote. But vote Larvikite ONLY ! :)

Lars