absolute black honed vs raven caesarstone (or others?)

12 years ago

considering using either one of these to go with white cabinets, darker wood flooring. I really like the color of the Raven, but originally wanted a natural stone, but can't seem to find a granite that is this charcoal-y grey.

i do not want shiny black granite, which is why i'm considering honed. but heard it's a pain to upkeep and not sure how it will look. Plus the ease of the ceasarstone is calling me esp with 2 kids...

do you think the caesarstone looks "fake"? any suggestion for any other granite colors that will look like the Raven?

Raven is what i'm leaning towards...

(if anyone can post pics that would be great!)

Thanks in advance!

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bellsmom

12 years ago

Like you, I did not want shiny black. I LOVE the brushed Black Pearl granite we chose. Most BP was not this figured, but we found one lot that was. It is subtle, no problem at all with staining, oil just wipes off. For us, perfect.
Since you asked for pics, here are two. IRL, there is NO hint of brown in the color. The first shows the granite as it looks in most lighting. The texture shows well in this pic.

The second shows it when the sun is shining at its brightest through the west window. Here you can see how it looks in the bright light, and in the unlit shadow:

Hope these are useful to you.
B

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Comments (10)

sw_in_austin
12 years ago
We wanted a matte black or gray counter surface and originally thought we wanted honed AB. After some reading about various problems with AB we started looking at honed Caesarstone (even the regular CS was too shiny for us!). Raven was our favorite. We got samples and found that, while it didn't seem to stain, oily spots and fingerprints were a problem.

Then I discovered this forum and it's legion of soapstone lovers. We went and looked at soapstone and loved it. It was about the same price as the CS with none of the drawbacks. And we loved that it was a natural stone. Four years later we're more than happy with our choice.
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There's not a SS market here. I would not do honed AB because of all the bad things I've read about it re: etching, staining, upkeep etc. It's not a true granite so it doesn't behave like a lot of the other dark granites. From what I've read, they recommend not using an impregnating sealer but a color enhancing sealer. But even then, many have major issues with upkeep. I got so sick of cleaning then polishing my polished (but gorgeous) antique brown that I can't fathom risking adding even more upkeep on a countertop. Here's a detailed article on it by a marble/granite guy and comments below. I know people here have had issues with AB too. I know not everyone has had issues, but IMO it's a crap shoot. With my luck, I'd have issues. Article & Comments Below Here's one small blurb: Another Small Blurb I'd find a different one to use. There are lots of other dark/black granites and quartzes to use with soft/honed looks.
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Here are some photos of what mine look like on a typical day. The photos are somewhat light (ie the counters look blacker in real light) but the photos are still a pretty accurate indication of what the spots look like. I cleaned the counters before bed last night, including drying with microfiber, etc. and here is what they look like after breakfast this morning. This is the section my kids touched: And here is the section where I poured my coffee this morning: Granted, I have 3 little kids so not everyone's is going to look this bad -- but in general I would say that you should either be prepared to have them look like this a lot or be prepared to be obsessive about cleaning them. All of this will clean right up with the right granite cleaner, but I would have to use it 10 times a day to keep them looking good. Basically, any time I use the kitchen (even just making myself a cup of coffee) I end up with a few spots. They do look gorgeous when they're clean. Hope that helps!
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muskokascp
12 years ago
I am putting Raven on a high gloss grey cabinet and expect it to be installed within a week. Since I don't have it yet I can't really say if fingerprints will be a problem. I also have soapstone on my white kitchen island. Love the soapstone! I saw leathered peribonka granite in a showroom and really liked that look too. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these choices.
mpagmom (SW Ohio)
12 years ago
Have you looked at local stone yards? There are lots of honed or textured black granites that are easier mainenance than AB. I just looked at honed Atlantic Black a couple weeks ago and it was more a dark gray.

I would also like a charcoal gray countertop that isn't polished, and I've looked at Raven, but I don't think it's going to do it for me. From a distance most honed or textured black granites will look very similar to Raven, but when you get close up almost all will be more interesting than Raven. If I find a nice slab of marron cohiba leather I will probably go with that. It's technically supposed to be brown-black, but many slabs just look black to me.

Good luck!
Bobby99
12 years ago
I have Raven, and I love it. It doesn't look "fake" to me because I prefer the more contemporary, less busy look of quartz, and I like the sheen - it's muted, but still evident. I don't notice fingerprints on it unless they're greasy fingerprints, and it is pretty much bombproof - I know, because it seems like my husband and I try to wreck it nightly. I had an accident with chalkboard paint on it last week, whoops! :O)

I have cream cabinets, light grey walls and a marble backsplash, and I'm really happy with my choice. Sorry, I don't have photos yet because we still have some finishing details to complete - the Barefoot Contessa's kitchen is done in Raven; you might look at it.
rosielove623
12 years ago
Bobby99 makes some good points. I have Lagos Blue in my kitchen but I almost got Raven. I like the gray look more than the dark black. I get compliments all the time, never thought it looked 'fake' but it is definitely more contemporary than granite which I wanted.

Lagos blue isn't as dark but does get some smudges and fingerprints sometimes (how can it not? my kitchen isn't a museum!) but yeah all I use is a little bit of SoftScrub and it goes a long way.

Saw some pictures of Raven in an older thread. Link below

Here is a link that might be useful: Raven Pics
lascatx
12 years ago
Have you seen Cambrian Black granite? I have it brushed onmy island and hutch. I love it.
eugenie11
12 years ago
I guess I'l be the one who hasn't had any maintenance issues with honed AB. I love it! And I don't baby it, either.

Like you, I wanted a not-shiny dark stone: my first choice was slate, but I was told it cracks, flakes, sheds - I can't even remember all the things it does, the saleswoman scared me off it so fast!

Didn't want marble. Didn't want synthetic. Liked the reasonable price of granite. Read all the reviews here on GW that said it shows every fingerprint and watermark and fleck of dust... but this simply hasn't been true for us.

We have it on our sink run and our deep sink splashes plenty. We mop up the water after doing the dishes - but I wouldn't call that a maintenance nightmare... I would mop up water or spills on ANY counter...

Not sure why AB gets a bad rep - I think it looks sharp, we have had ZERO problems. Now, I wish I could say the same about my wood island top....

This isn't a great picture, but since you asked:
eugenie11
12 years ago
Here's a better picture of how the honed AB granite looks with wood floor and white cabs:
scoutyyy
12 years ago
I have the Ocean Blue Caesarstone and love it! My cabinets are white (BM Marscapone) and my floor is Walnut. I tried to copy Ina Garten's look on a smaller budget with the blue (she has a really high end blue counter). Marble subway tiles are the backsplash - the gray veins pick up the dark blue perfectly.

absolute black honed vs raven caesarstone (or others?)

bellsmom

Comments (10)

sw_in_austin

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