FAQ Friday: Does Granite Etch?

This question comes from Gina...
"From what I understand granite does not etch and that other stones like marble and limestone do.  I was at a store today that told me granite does etch!  They were trying to sell me on quartz or Corian, so I'm thinking they may be lying to me or maybe they just don't know.  So I'm asking you, does granite etch?"

Thanks for the question Gina! 
The answer is No.  Granite does not etch.

Photo: Houzz

I've actually been meaning to address this here on the blog. 
I was watching an older episode (I'm terribly behind on my dvr!) of my beloved Nate Berkus Show recently and he had the Kitchen Cousins on his show.  (Kitchen Cousins is a tv show on HGTV, I'm not going to link to them because I don't want to give them any traffic!)
They had an audience member ask if granite was a good choice to use in her new kitchen because she wanted something timeless.  She wondered if it would go out of style.  She mentioned that she had "colorful" granite in her previous homes and had liked it.
They didn't even answer her question on whether it would go out of style.  Instead they started pitching quartz!
They said granite is porous and that it etches.  They were saying how lemons and other acids would ruin the granite.  Misinformation like this makes me want to scream!  They have a HUGE audience between their tv show and being on the Nate Berkus show and whether they just don't know the difference between granite and marble or don't care is so frustrating.
They just used scare tactics to sell a product that I'm willing to bet money on they are paid sponsors for!


Etching occurs when acid gets on a calcium based stone like marble, limestone and travertine.  It's a chemical reaction.
The reason granite is so popular is that it is so durable.  Granite is not a calcium based stone so it will not etch.

Don't get me wrong...I LOVE quartz!  I sell it and recommend it all the time.
The difference is I never would push a customer away from granite if they loved the look of the granite. 
Most granites and quartz will hold up about the same.  Price is similar as well.  So if you really like the look of quartz then I highly recommend quartz.  I just don't think anyone should use quartz just because they are scared of granite.
Maybe I'd be singing a different tune if I had paid sponsors though!  ;)

Photo: Lonny Magazine