Granite is formed deep underground from magma. This molten rock, subject to great heat and pressure, slowly cools and solidifies to form the stone we see today. Granite that is found on the surface of the earth has actually been exposed through weathering - it has taken millions of years to get there!

Not all granite is the same. There is some variation in the chemical make-up and this causes the different colours and patterns we see in the stone. Some colours are rarer than others and so fetch a higher price.

Because granite is a natural stone it is subject to natural imperfections such as fissures and cracks. Granite that's used in the home has to be of the finest grade, with no cracks, otherwise it would be subject to cracking along these weak points.

Granite, although expensive to buy, is actually a very common stone and is found almost all over the world. The reason it's so expensive is the laborious process that takes it from mine to kitchen!

Some of the largest granite mines today are found in India and South America. Although labour is relatively cheap in these countries, mining granite is still an expensive process. A hundred years ago granite was mined by hand, but the introduction of diamond cutting machines has made this process easier.

Big blocks of granite are first mined from the ground. These are then cut into thinner sections to be shipped to workshops all over the world. The stone has to be packed very tightly to stop it rubbing against each other and damaging the blocks. Stone is selected for its colour and quality, and finished by master craftsmen. This involves cutting it to the right size, finishing the edges and polishing the stone to a high gloss.

Because granite is so hard, each cut or polish is a time-consuming process and very labour-intensive. The quality however remains high and this is why granite worktops are a popular premium product.

Apart from being a premium product and looking fantastic, granite is actually the perfect material for a kitchen worktop. It is heat-resistant so won't be damaged bu having hot pans placed directly onto it. It's incredibly hard so is difficult to scratch with ordinary kitchen knives - in fact, your knives are likely to become blunt! It's also a very cool stone and perfect for making pastry.

All natural stone is slightly porous, but granite worktops are treated with a sealant before they leave the worktop to stop them absorbing moisture. This makes them very easy to clean although like any surface they're subject to staining by things like beetroot and very acidic liquids. You should therefore wipe up any spills straight away to avoid marks on your worktops!

Because they've been sealed, granite countertops are quite resistant to bacteria - perfect for cooking surfaces. This also makes them a popular choice for bathroom surfaces as it's difficult for mildew to take hold.

Just like other materials, you can choose what finish you'd like for your granite worktops. This could include bullnose edges, straight edges, in-built drainage channels next to your sink, rounded inside edges around your sink, polished edges and many more options! All of these of course add cost onto the finished product but make your countertop even more luxurious and unique.

There are two man-made alternatives to granite - Silestone and Arenastone. These are both made from quartz and a binding resin, and coloured with various pigments.

Because they're man-made they can be produced in a wide range of consistent colours. If you have a very particular decor scheme you may not be able to find a piece of granite to match, so these man-made products are the perfect alternative. They're just as strong as granite (if not stronger) offering all the scratch-and-heat resistance you need.

Silestone also has the advantage of being specially treated to withstand mould and bacteria. This quality doesn't wear out, so although you still have to clean the worktop it will be a lot more resistant to germs.

Even though these products are man-made, they're no cheaper than granite. The production process is equally long and the end product is extremely high quality. This price is passed on to the consumer but is worth it!