Author: cezzzSubject: Granite color matching questionPosted: 08 Dec 2009 at 4:19pm The lemon juice will tell you both how absorbent your stone is and what type of stone you have: Specifically, is it a silicate-based stone (granite) or a calcite-based stone (marble, travertine and limestone)... or possibly a mix of silicate/calcite.Here is the test you should follow, it's called lemon juice and oil test:Line up all your samples in row.Drip enough lemon juice to form a dime-sized puddle on the first sample.Do the same with vegetable/olive oil.Look at the surface of the stone through the puddles and note the time.If you see the surface under the puddles darken right away, this stone is very absorbent and should NOT be used in the kitchen.If the stone does darken, but it takes 4 or 5 minutes, then applying a granite sealer will make this stone manageable in the kitchen... it'll be reasonably stain resistant.If it takes 10 to 15 minutes to darken a sealer should still be applied, but make sure it absorbs well and doesn't dry on top.If the stonenever darkens or it takes 30 minutes or more, then you have a nearstain-proof winner that probably would not take a sealer even if youtried.Wipe the sample clean and look at the spot where the lemon juice was... is it dull compared to the shiny polish on the rest of the sample or did you notice the lemon juice fizzing/bubbling when on the surface? If so, it contains calcite and should not be used in the kitchen.Perform the same test procedure on each of your samples.