Kashmir White granite is undoubtedly one of the most popular granites on the market. Ask anyone to name a white granite – and Kashmir white will probably be the first thing they say. It is quarried in several quarries in southern India in large amounts, it has no other common industry names.
It is a truly stunning stone that certainly deserves all the recognition it has. It does however have a few downsides which many people are unaware of. Is it right for your kitchen? Let’s find out…
From afar Kashmir white is a predominantly white stone. But its overall appearance is generally a very light grey in color (due to the mineral deposits we will discuss in just a second).
Such a clean and friendly appearance.
From a distance you are usually unable to see any of the intricate mineral deposits that provide this stone with more depth and detail when seen up close.
As you get closer to the stone you can begin to see all of the stunning little details that this granite has. The white bedrock reveals its self to be an even brighter and lighter white than it appeared to be from afar. It is as pure as pure can be.
What gives this stone a slightly darker color from a distance is the little mineral deposits that are littered throughout the stone.
The main mineral that is present is a light grey mineral that can range from only very slightly darker than the white bedrock – to a medium grey in places. What makes this mineral extra special is that in places it can have a very light red tinge to it. It is really not very noticeable at all until you are right up next to the slab and are viewing it in a well lit room – but it is certainly there.
A stunning white kitchen.
There are also frequent patches of a very light brown mineral, it is so light that it is almost yellow in color. Again this mineral is so feint that you are unable to see it until you get close to the stone – and even then it is only just visible, as it is not a whole lot darker than the stunning white bedrock.
Dotted around the stone will also be spots of red mineral deposits. These are usually very small in size and rarely exceed the size of a water droplet. These red mineral deposits are usually a very deep dark red / burgundy and elegantly add a little color to the stone (while not overpowering the fresh white appearance the stone has overall). These mineral deposits can occasionally be so dark that they are actually brown in appearance – but this is less common.
This granite does not really vary all that much in rooms with different lighting conditions. The light brown mineral patches may be a little less visible in rooms without much natural light – but they are so feint anyway that they are usually not even that visible even with loads of light.
A stunning example!
There is a low amount of variation between slabs of Kashmir white granite and you can be fairly certain that you will be able to purchase a slab from your stone supplier that will look like the ones you may have seen while doing research online.
We always recommend you view any slab in person before you purchase it. But due to its incredibly low amount of variation you can certainly get away with just looking at a high quality photo.
How Much Does Kashmir White Granite Cost?
Due to it being quarried in large quantities this is a mid rand granite – (despite it being incredibly attractive and in high demand). You will pay around $60-$70 per square foot for a 3cm thick slab of Kashmir white granite. A 2cm thick slab will cost you around $50-$60 per square foot.
Look at the red speckles on this slab. Stunning!
One of the main issues that many vendors will not tell you about Kashmir white is that it’s fresh white appearance is very prone to staining. When you have a stone that is this pure and white even the slightest bit of discoloration is very noticeable.
The main reason this granite will stain is if you use heavily toxic cleaning products on it. It can leave a horrible green tinge to the stone which is very noticeable. Things like bleach based cleaners should be avoided entirely, we recommend you actually only use soapy water (or specific granite cleaning fluid) to wash down any Kashmir white countertops – as other cleaners can have chemicals in them that will react with the stone.
Dark cabinets and kashmir white. perfect.
Despite the staining issues – this is a very popular stone. Its pure white tones can be incredibly attractive in a variety of kitchen décor types. It can be used to create a lived in and vintage homely feel to a room, or it can be used to create ultra-modern and contemporary rooms. The sky is the limit here!
The pale green tiles look great here.
When combined with white cabinet’s Kashmir White granite countertops seamlessly blend into the room. The overall effect is a flowing room that feels very light and airy. The slight grey tinge that the stone has overall is a perfect complement to bright white cabinets.
The stone were any darker it would begin to contrast strongly, any lighter and it would almost be slightly lost within the kitchen. It is just dark enough to be a noticeable elegant accent to the cabinets without looking too strong.
When combined with dark cabinets the stone takes on a very different role in the kitchen. They are a stark and strong contrast to the cabinets. While it is possible to create a traditional feel to the room with dark cabinets – the countertops usually create a very modern look.
Such a smooth and fresh kitchen!
One of the great things about this granite is that it can be used with busy wallpaper if you so wish. Many granites are far too heavily patterned and veined with mineral deposits to be able to complement rooms that already have a strong pattern in them – that is not the case with this stone.
In the bathroom is another great use of this stone. Its white patterns look stunning when under the bright lights of a bathroom, and looks great in a mirror!
Kashmir white splashbacks are a touchy point for us – due to their very nature they are going to need a large amount of cleaning, which can invite the dreaded green staining we mentioned earlier. There is no denying their beauty – but again, be careful with this delicate stone..
How about using Kashmir White in the bathroom?
So there you have it, our guide to one of the most popular white granites on the market. In our opinion this is a very reasonably priced granite that holds a special place in our hearts (and kitchens!). The staining issue is a slight concern for us – but with proper care it can last for many years without issue.
If you like Kashmir White – Be sure to check out Colonial Cream Granite and / or Ivory Fantasy.
Are you thinking about getting some of this stunning stone in your home? Do you have any questions about how it can fit in with your kitchens décor? Let us know in the comments section below.
