You're right, AB shouldn't have water rings unless it's some sort of mineral ring. Do you have well water? Regardless, they should have wiped off or at least come off w/a scrubby.

Did you check your stone for dye? Some AB stones have been dyed to look black and the dye can leach out leaving the lighter, true color.

Try emailing:

StoneGirl (see her Member Page)
or
Kevin at AZ Stone Consulting (info@azschoolofrock.com) (tell him you're from GW Kitchens)

In both cases, send them the link to this thread:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg071817173615.html

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread: Stone Information and Advice (& Checklists)

Thanks Buehl! I'll definitely send them an email..since they're coming out tomorrow! Will this drama ever end???!!

I'm no pro, but I'd bet that is etching. It looks extremely similar to the etching all over my Danby Marble island counter.

(I'm so sad for you!!!)

I remember hearing about the counterfeit absolute black. I wonder if that's why you got.

Yeah, I remember reading about the counterfeit AB also! I just hope they can get rid of these rings. But then I wonder if I will have to go through this exercise every time. What a pain!

It could be either one of 2 things:

1. You have the impostor BA and the calcium binders in the stone etched.
   
2. You have the good stuff and your fabricator tried to seal the tops when they installed them.
   
   There is no good news if the problem is #1. They could put ager on there and come back to do it again the next time you entertain. No sealer will fix this problem - permanently or otherwise.
   
   If #2 is your problem, the issue is with the sealer and NOT the stone. Impregnating sealers need to be absorbed into the stone to work. If they do not get absorbed, the sealer forms a layer on the surface of the stone. This is what is reacting to the acids and giving you the "ghost etches". The cure for this problem is a total removal of all the sealer.
   
   Try to scrape at the rings with a sharp razor blade held at about a 45 degree angle. You might be able to remove some of the sealer this way. Another way could be to scrub at the rings with a very fine steel wool (000 or finer). Both these methods are mechanical removal techniques. They should give you some result. Another option would be to try and re-emulsify the sealer with some sealer on a rag and then to totally buff off the sealer residue with a clean rag.
   
   Unfortunately a lot of people still believe that sealing all stones are a necessity. It simply is not true. Stones that do not need sealer are much better off "au naturel". Sealers on impervious stones create maintenance headaches of the worst kind.

Thanks stonegirl. How do I know for sure if it is the imposter AB granite? Should I let the fabricators put a Stone Enhancer on the granite when they come back? If I do have the real AB granite- is there a way to remove the sealer from the entire piece?

thanks again!

Some here have used acetone to remove unneeded sealer... StoneGirl...is that OK?

But, I think it may have an adverse affect if it's issue #1...do you have a sample from your slab(s) to test on?

Thanks Buehl. The fabricator tried the acetone when they were there, and it did absolutely nothing...I'm just hoping that whatever they try tomorrow, it works.

Here's what one site says about checking if the granite was dyed.

"Take a clean white rag and apply some acetone to the surface of the granite. If any residue or black color is observed on the top, it has been dyed. If you get no dye from the acetone, then take some MEK(Methyl Ethyl Ketone) and apply it to a different part of the slab. If you get any color transfer, the stone is dyed. These chemicals can be purchased at most home improvement or paint supply stores."

Did you see the rag after the fabricator tried the acetone? I would do my own test before he comes back. Here's a link below to the whole article.

You might also try posting your photo and concerns on this board. Good luck!

http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/index.php

Here is a link that might be useful: Fading Issues With Black Granites

From the Stone Advice thread:

To verify you have true AB and not dyed: Clean with denatured alcohol and rub marble polishing powder on the face. (Get denatured alcohol at Home Depot in the paint department)

Hi blondelle/Buehl, no I didn't see his rag before he wiped it...that's a good point, I should try it one of those techniques before they come today. I think I will still post on the johnbridge forum, and see what they say- what a pain! I'll keep you guys posted.

Thanks!

Any update - were they able to fix the rings? Did you determine whether you have genuine AB or dyed stone?

Hi Guys,
Well, they are replacing the slab. They said that they recently found out that they are dying the AB slabs before it gets to them ( I don't know if this is true or not)..they said that they have recently been having problems with the AB, and started doing some investigation. They said that the AB is coming out of the quarry lighter, and lighter, so it was being dyed to have the black appearance. It's funny, I remember seeing certain posts on this forum before I bought my granite about the counterfeit AB, but I thought it was a rare occurrence. Now, I have to pick a different color slab, because they suspect that all of the AB granite that they have is dyed!Just when I thought I was almost finished!

I'm no pro, but I'd bet that is etching

I'd take that bet.

1. You have the impostor BA and the calcium binders in the stone etched.

2. You have the good stuff and your fabricator tried to seal the tops when they installed them.

I didn't even think of #1, which is a very definite possiblity. My money was riding on #2 right from the start. That looked to me like rings in the sealer.

They said that they recently found out that they are dying the AB slabs before it gets to them ( I don't know if this is true or not)

That's the imposter AB that Stonegirl was talking about.

Once again, lady, ya got me! :-)

sweetd313, thank goodness they are willing to replace your granite and were honest with you. As hard as starting your stone search over is, it will be better than dealing with those rings. Good luck.

Bill, I was hoping that it was #2 as well, that sounded much easier to fix. Pluckymama, you are so right..I was getting ready for a battle with this company to replace the stone, and they didn't give me one at all- so I'm VERY relieved about that. This is definitely a lesson learned, and hopefully through my experience other people won't have to go through this same drama.