I have a curling cake to do (you know, that wierd olympic sport where they push a big rock on the ice). the "curling stone" as it is called is actually made out of granite - typically medium in grey color, and shiny. any ideas as to how to get the look of granite with fondant. I know I can paint it w/vodka (and steam it) to make it shiny...it's the look of the granite part I'm stumped on. any ideas would be most appreciated.

Have you seen this post?

http://cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-ftopict-666494-hollywood.html+star

awesome...thanks for the link! do you think it'd be safe to brush with vodka after it dried? I think that might not work. maybe just the good old steam method instead. i wanted it REALLY shiny though.

I'm not sure if you can brush over it with vodka after dry. I'd try a little on a piece and see. I'm not sure the colors would stay in place with a wet brush going over them.

Rubbing fondant with crisco can make it shiny too, but again I don't know what it would do to the blend of colors.

You can always spray painted fondant with edible lacquer for gloss

http://www.globalsugarart.com/search.php?search=lacquer&searchimage.x=52&searchimage.y=2

Granite has sparklies all through it, too - maybe add some luster dusts mixed with alcohol to the mix.