Silestone costs more than granite stone. Prices vary by firm, but silestone is often somewhat more costly than granite. Granite is less expensive per square foot than quartz, however there are certain situations when more exotic granites overlap with quartz prices. For example, light-colored granites can be less expensive than darker-colored ones. Granite is a common name given to a variety of rock formations that are composed mainly of silicon dioxide (silica) and aluminum oxide (alumina). These rocks can be white, brown, black, or mixtures thereof and they usually contain some amount of water as well. Granite can be used for countertops, flooring, wall cladding, and more. There are three main types of granite: fresh cut, polished, and veined. Fresh cut granite is still in its natural state and contains some of the original wood fibers and leaves from which it was harvested. This type of granite is most commonly found in kitchen counters because it is durable and easy to clean. Polished granite has had all of the soft parts removed to produce a highly polished surface. It is commonly used in dining rooms and other high-traffic areas because of its beautiful appearance and durability. Veined granite has dark, rich colors caused by small bubbles trapped inside the stone during its formation. It is commonly seen in bathroom vanities because of its attractive look.