Alaska white granite is a stunning stone that looks just like it sounds. It combines stunning icy whites with browns and greys to create complex patterns that look incredible. It is quarried in north western Brazil and is not commonly known by any other industry names.
It is without doubt one the most popular white granites on the market, and it looks great when used for kitchen countertops.
Read on to find out more about this awesome stone, and how it can work with your kitchens décor.
From afar the stunning pure white of this granites bedrock is the dominating color. The white provides a nice light and modern feel. From this distance you are able to see the darker brown minerals that make up the stone very clearly. From this distance (depending upon the slab) you may be able to see the grey minerals that make up a large part this stone – some slabs will have darker (and therefore more visible) grey mineral deposits than other slabs.
However as you move closer to the stone the stunning intricacies of this granite reveal themselves. In many places the white bedrock is pure white, and there are no imperfections or blemishes. However dotted around the stone you can see the large patches of the light grey minerals. The color of these patches can range from very light grey (only slightly lighter than the white bedrock) to a medium grey in color. On average these grey patches will make up between 30% and 40% of the stones overall mass.
Complementing the grey minerals most slabs will have large patches of very light brown minerals. These can range in color from slightly darker than off white, all the way through to a mocha color. They can be dense and completely cover the area, or they can be found in little dots and specks.
When these light brown minerals are in little dots instead of a uniform patch. The underlying white bedrock is allowed to shine through in places. This creates a stunning effect of the brown blending into the white seamlessly and is a very impressive feature of this stone.
The dark brown veins that are visible from afar also reveal themselves to have much more detail. They range from a deep chocolate brown in places all the way through to a brown so dark that it is nearly black. It adds a great level of interest to the overall appearance of the stone and ensure that it will work great in kitchens that have a darker décor.
There is said to be a medium amount of variation within slabs of Alaska white granite. The main variance will be the dark brown veins and the light grey mineral patches. The dark brown veins will generally be around the same depth of color between slabs, but their size and frequency can vary significantly.
The grey mineral deposits are the main variant in this granite – while they are almost always present in significant quantities, they can vary in their shade. Meaning some slabs can have a very light and airy appearance (with light grey deposits), while others can actually look greyer than white overall if the slab has darker grey deposits.
This stone does not vary all that much in rooms that have different lighting conditions and will produce a similar effect in rooms with or without an abundance of natural light.
How Much Does Alaska White Granite Cost?
We think that this is one of best value for money granites on the market. It is usually priced in the lowest price bracket (although at the upper end of this bracket). For a 3cm thick slab of Alaska White granite you will pay around $25 to $35 per square foot. A 2cm thick slab will cost you around $15-$20 per square foot.
Without doubt the most popular usage of Alaska white granite is in the kitchen as countertops. Its stunning bright appearance can be utilized with a variety of kitchen décor types to create very different but equally stunning effects.
The most popular color combination is undoubtedly using Alaska white countertops with white kitchen cabinets. The white of the stone and the white of the cabinets create a very light and breezy feel to the room. As the brown mineral veins are very visible even at a distance – the room does not feel too bland, and the countertops really become a focal point of the room. The greys also help to break up the contrast between the brown and the white which creates a certain flow to the room’s décor.
When used with white cabinets it is possible to create a variety of different feels to you kitchen. With clean and clinical cabinets the stone can look very modern and contemporary, with more vintage style cabinets it can look homely and inviting.
However when you use Alaska white granite countertops with dark kitchen cabinets the overall effect is very different – but just as breathtaking. The dark cabinets are a strong contrast to the white of the countertops – which makes them stand out far more than in a kitchen with light cabinets.
The dark brown mineral veins complement the darker cabinet colors creating a great flow to the room ensuring that the stark contrast is not too overpowering. While it is certainly possible to use dark cabinets and Alaska White to create a traditional or vintage feeling to your kitchen – the end result is usually quite modern and contemporary.
We think Alaska white granite is one of the best value for money stones on the market. We were really quite shocked when we found out how cheap it is. Its stunning colors will never go out of fashion and you can be sure that it will stand the test of time even under the most heavy usage.
Some great alternatives to Alaska white are Delicatus, White Fantasy, and White Ice Granite – make sure you check them out!
What do you think about this awesome stone? Do you have any of it in your kitchen? Let us know and send us a picture in the comments section below!