Granite: Granite (unlike quartz) is a completely natural stone; meaning it comes straight out of the Earth. If you want your kitchen to have a natural, non-uniform look, granite is the way to go! Now, granite doesn’t have a heat cap, so if you forget to put a hot pad under that hot pie dish or cookie sheet once or twice, it’s no big deal. But, just because you you don’t have to use hot pads doesn’t mean you shouldn’t! Granite is also a porous stone, so it needs to be sealed every 3-5 years and most granite shops will sell sealant that will last you at least 3-4 seals. Because it’s porous, that means it’ll soak up that spilled red wine fairly quick, so you’ll need to be diligent when it comes to cleaning up any spills. Granite is also extremely hard to scratch or chip, so unless you’re going out of your way to damage it, it won’t show easily. Also, don’t confuse cracks with fissures; fissures are small marks in the stone that occur naturally and can be easily filled because they’re on the surface of the stone. Cracks go deeper in the stone and are most likely a result of mishandling and may be able to be filled dependent on the severity of the crack. To clean, use a mild soap and water, no harsh cleaners (bleach, scrubbing bubbles, etc.) and nothing with hydrofluoric acid!