Michael Holigan: For millions of years this slab of granite has been buried deep in a mountain range. Now, it's on the way to becoming the centerpiece of the kitchen.

Mitch Mahony: It's one of the best products as far as putting in your home - the durability, lasting.

MH: Mitch Mahony owns the plant that buys granite from all over the world and cuts the sheets of rock into kitchen countertops. At Mahoney's plant the sale of granite countertops has quadrupled in the past two years as the stone becomes more affordable and popular. The price of granite can vary, depending on where it is quarried. Some of the most expensive comes from under the ocean. Different combinations of minerals create a variety of colors that sparkle in ways man-made products can't duplicate. The granite was formed when geological activity transformed molten lava into rocks so hard only a diamond tipped saw will cut it. That hardening process is what makes granite difficult to damage in the kitchen. One feature that homeowners like about granite is it doesn't scorch or burn. You can pull a hot pan or plate out of the oven and set it right on the countertop and it's going to be okay. This torches at about 1200-degrees and that's a lot hotter than any pan that comes out of your oven. So when Glenda Bulger bakes cookies and pastries for her children, she can set the hot pans directly on top of her counter without ruining the surface.

Glenda Bulger: Some days I feel like I never get out of the kitchen. So anything that can make my job easier I'm interested in it.

MH: Glenda can use her counter as a cutting board because knives don't scratch the granite. She says it is easy to clean.

GB: And since I'm teaching my children to clean up after themselves it makes it easier for them, too.