I have giallo ornamental and I can't imagine it in a leather finish. To me the leather finish looks best with the solids. It is an interesting look, but not very popular. I am wondering too if dust, fingerprints crumbs show more on this type of finish. I can tell you that with my giallo, I have to skim the surface with my hand because it hides the crumbs well. I agree that black and white is a classic look, but you have to like it. Have you thought about your backsplash? That may guide you in one direction or another.

I'm not sure if jet mist is the same, but here's mine in brushed finish. I have to admit that I do baby it a bit based on reports that etching is possible, but overall, we have been happy with the finish. This post was edited by goldengirl327 on Thu, Apr 11, 13 at 12:20

Hi-We also just had leathered absolute black installed last week and have unexpected staining/scratching. Perhaps you've already seen this discussion, but I'll link it just in case. azstoneconsulting-have you seen the thread below? I did not have oil stain/scratching issues with our unsealed samples, so I'm thinking I might be better off without a sealer. I think I am going to ask the fabricator to strip off the sealer and see if it takes care of the problem. Do you have an opinion on that approach? Thanks! Here is a link that might be useful: thread on antiqued/honed granite stains

Well, judging from the lack of jumping on response, combined with reading a lot of previous threads on nonpolished finishes (one below) and other websites, it seems like the thing everybody's talking about and worked up about maintenance of is just the honed finish, and the leather or antiqued (I think they're basically the same) is a lot more easygoing. So, we ordered our slab, and are perfectly happy with it! The installer is a fan of the leathered, is surprised more people don't choose it, and will be applying a sealer. Here are 2 photos from the stoneyard, the Steel Gray in leathered finish in the lefthand photo, and the polished finish in the righthand photo (if you concentrate you can see the granite in there, it's not just a mirror...) And just a reference, this is what Steel Gray looks like head-on: Here is a link that might be useful: Previous leathered granite maintenance thread