Mari Blue slab

up close detail

Tough decision! Beautiful vibrant stone that's begging to be the centerpiece of your kitchen! You have to really think about what look you want. My dh loved the swirly van gogh slabs, I wanted more a more timeless look for what I'm figuring is our one-time-only reno!

If they are telling you it's exotic and could shatter, you may want to think twice. We just installed marron cohiba (possibly similar to antique brown?) which has subtle irridescent and sparkly chunks. I didn't know it has a reputation for being a "softer" granite and hard to work with -- we now have a couple nicks at the soap dispenser cutout and on the range slide-in edge that need filling. I love the stone, but might have thought twice if I had done my homework upfront. And you probably want to pick the best fabricator you can find (get recommendations!) if you do choose a fragile granite.

As for visualizing it, some granite websites have "kitchen views" so you can see their slabs in a mockup kitchen. Here is one that I saw that's very basic but may help a little: http://www.ohmintl.com/monroe/stoneDetailView.php?toryid=0000001826

Also, there is a great thread here on picking your granite slab and fabricator-- it may have been posted originally by buehl. Hope you can find it on google.

Good luck!!

I understand from your post you like maybe even love the
Mari Blue. I would get it if you love it. I wish I had some
images of this type of stone. Mari is from Brazil
also known as Mira Blue (I think could be confused) I have
heard it is an easy stone to work with. Soft.

It it were me, I would pay the extra and get that stone.
I think it is beautiful.

Are you putting this on an island?
What are other colors in your space?
Did I understand you saw this in person?
Have you talked to your installer to find out the cost
of ship and install?

For me this is a gorgeous stone especially with White cabs
dark oak floors, simple bs, Stainless appliances could bring
out the little flecs and white swirl patterns nicely.

Do you want the stone counter to be the wallflower or focus
of the kitchen?
What is your Backsplash like?
Are your other elements soft, quirky, loud, patterns, ...
What kind of theme are you going for? A country, urban,
modern, minimalist, frilly, romantic, old world?

If it turns out this stone is too expensive and too risky
to buy sight unseen, there are 100s of kitchens with
Blue Pearl, Emerald Pearl or Antique brown. I am happy to
post some images if you want those others.
~boxer

If you want something dark and more neutral along the lines of the Black Pearl or the Antique Brown -- but with sparkle -- you could consider the Black Galaxy with large flecks in it (there is a version with smaller flecks too). It is both elegant and hardy. The Mari Blue is beautiful. If you choose the slab you saw and liked, you might want to ask the supplier and fabricator what the back-up plan is if the piece does shatter.

I just love the Mari Blue! I think you will regret it if you don't go with. I know I would!
It looks very similar to the Diamond Arrown slab I just bought. I had to have it and it wasn't what I set out to the slab yard to select. I think it will be a very versatile stone that can pull a lot of finishes or colors off. Keep us posted and Good Luck!

Not sure how to post a quote from above---

Q I understand from your post you like maybe even love the
Mari Blue. I would get it if you love it.
A--- It is the one I've had on mine mind since I saw it and my DH finally liking something helps.

Q I wish I had some
images of this type of stone. Mari is from Brazil
also known as Mira Blue (I think could be confused) I have
heard it is an easy stone to work with. Soft.
A--- Is that a good thing?

Q It it were me, I would pay the extra and get that stone.
I think it is beautiful.
A---I would love to! But *sigh* it may not happen...

Q Are you putting this on an island?
A---A small island- 20 sq ft. And need perimeter stone of this or something also. Another 20.

Q What are other colors in your space?
A---No other colors introduced yet. Kitchenaid 'Canvas' cabinets and redoak wood floors, SS appliances, SS and white light fixtures. Very neutral.

Q Did I understand you saw this in person?
A---yes by the front door where they put the exotics! I didn't examine it closely though and the photos of other stones online don't seem to look the same in colors or swirls.

Q Have you talked to your installer to find out the cost
of ship and install?
A---yes, we live in an area where nothing seems available (like mountaineergirl). No answer yet.

Q For me this is a gorgeous stone especially with White cabs
dark oak floors, simple bs, Stainless appliances could bring
out the little flecs and white swirl patterns nicely.
A---agree completely.

Q Do you want the stone counter to be the wallflower or focus
of the kitchen?
A---I was looking at a plainer black granite so that a BS could be the focus but this has changed all that thinking.

Q What is your Backsplash like?
A---I was looking at an Acanthus trimmed very light travertine but nothing firm.

Q Are your other elements soft, quirky, loud, patterns, ...
A---soft, conservative, or quiet maybe?, is the way I would describe it. So this would really bring it alive. Or perhaps overwhelm it? DH thinks it would be good, but his ideas and mine are way opposite normally.

Q What kind of theme are you going for? A country, urban,
modern, minimalist, frilly, romantic, old world?
A---traditional with a touch of tuscan shaped BS trim but without the tuscan colors. Pale to offset the dark counter.

Q If it turns out this stone is too expensive and too risky
to buy sight unseen, there are 100s of kitchens with
Blue Pearl, Emerald Pearl or Antique brown. I am happy to
post some images if you want those others.
A---Thanks, I've been looking!
It contains specks of my favorite shade of blue (and DH's) and although I wasn't going to make the kitchen blue, trying to stay neutral, I sure could go blue if this happens. I first thought it would need to go all over the kitchen because it is so dramatic what could coordinate with it? But now I'm trying to think what could accompany it on the perimeter. Although it would be a shame not to see it while working at the stove. :)

I think I will regret not getting this. After researching what exotic means though, I'm searching for plan B....

I feel like I went looking for a Chevy and found an Aston-Martin!

I just saw the FK by Joan2121 thread. Her cabinet color is the same as mine and so is the floor. I have Much less light. I couldn't picture my kitchen with light counters but those pics of Giallo Ornamental are so pretty.

My DH loves the darks with light swirls. Is there anything out there that might come in second that would be similar but not pricey? I've been looking and saw a few on google images, Tempest Black, Black Strype, Black Cosmic. Anyone know what they look like up close? Some kind of granite that looks like soapstone but is more durable. That won't look like zebra stripes.

I could post of photo of the cabinets if that would help?

PS- I had a hard time finding this thread again! So many posts happen here daily.

If you get a chance, check out Blue Butterfly. We wanted a dark slab, but with some blue in it. We looked at English Brown but it was too much brown and not enough blue. We looked at Blue Pearl, but it was , in general, too silvery.
Blue Butterfly can have some very nice understated blue but also some hints of olive green, tan and even subtle bursts of deep, deep garnet red. In my opinion though, this is one that you MUST go pick out your slabs in person. I've seen too much variation between slabs from different blocks. We even made sure to pick out 3 slabs that were in consecutive order out of the block to make sure the patterning/colors were consistent.
If you check it out, make sure you look at several sites because their examples can be very different too.
You might hate it, but it's worth a look. It doesn't seem to be a very common color and I wonder if it is also known by different names.

Good luck in your search, Dean

The granite that looks like soapstone is called Jet Mist I think.