Thank you all for your comments. Our friend tells us that she visited someone who had granite in their bath and every time anyone used that bathroom, they were required to wipe down the counter lest water be left on it. Maybe the friend was extremely anal. The Bella Verde is somewhat dark but with a lot of white veins in it. Actually when I do a web search for it, the images I find look different from the small sample I have. It always seems to be this way with granite! I saw a Verde Esmeralda that was about the most beautiful piece I have ever seen (but too bright a color for a counter), but none of the online pics of that same color are as brilliant or as beautiful/ Anyway, I think we are going to have to visit granite yards to see the actual pieces we have to choose from, but I won't be overly worried about choosing granite for the bathroom. For the kitchen, I am a bit more concerned, since we are not the types to tidy up eveything right after cooking or eating.

The area that is "es-stinky" is mold and bacteria that has built up over time. The caulking can be removed and replaced with new caulk. It'll take some work to get ALL of the old "es-stinky" stuff outta there - but if you have patience and a good nose plug ( or a good sinus infection that prevents you from tasting and smelling anything else) you should have no problems. The cracks on the other hand - can be repaired, but if there is any movement in your cabinets or countertops from any reason (Northern Cali - DOES have it's share of earth quake activity now does it not? presuming you can isolate and and arrest the source of movement - you could have a Pro come out and do the fix - the price will depend on the extent of the work that will be involved, if there's top polishing involved, etc. this is a technique that I teach Fabricators how to do at AZ School of Rock. Members of the SFA could also help you - many SFA members also know how to do crack repairs and surface polsihing - here is a map that you can find at the SFA web site - Maybe one of these guys is close to you??? I would recommend contacting an SFA member company to follow up on the crack repair issues - there are some really good guys that are "allied" in the Alliance... hth kevin Here is a link that might be useful: SFA Web SIte - members map page

We have now added Granite Transformation to three homes. We first learned about it at a home show. We love it for three good reasons: 1) it is easy to install with little to no mess, 2) it is nearly indestructible, so it is easy to care for, 3) the price is reasonable compared to other granite possibilities. Personally, we love the look. Everyone that has visited our homes has ask about what is that on your counters? They loved it, too!

I have seen cracked granite. It's very rare if it's installed correctly. At least on the ladies' kitchen gossip circuit. (No professional experience here.) The theory is that localized thermal shock can expand microfissures and lead to cracking. So can twisting forces in a strong earthquake. According to my tile setter (an expert who often oversees installation of granite), even the thermal shock kind are down to bad installation of some kind. If the cabinets are installed properly, the granite is supported properly, the fabrication is done properly, and you don't abuse it with things like the football team using it as a stage to practice their can-can dance, you'll be fine! And if the contrariness of Fate should choose you to make an example of, and serve you up a crack for defying her, your good fabricator should be able to do a mend which will be nigh on invisible.