Oh, wow!

soo.... how are you going to get it home (carry on won't work) and why isn't it good for counters?
Maybe it'll need some simple reinforcement or something?

Christine

Yes it is GORGEOUS!!!
I saw some of that when I went looking, such a work of art. I know nothing of it's kitchen use because my husband started moving me along real fast when he heard the price lol.
Nice to see you Melaska, and happy for you to spend some family time.

Hi Christine...no, I didn't get it (darn!) We're still in the planning stages of our new build. I wanted to show my daughter how beautiful Quartz & Granite were. Now, I will judge every stone by this one & I will never find another quite like this one.

The lady said something about it being too soft? I didn't think Quartz was that soft. I thought soapstone was softer?

Thanks, jterrilynn...I was quoted $75 sq ft. Is that what you were quoted?

This pic doesn't do it justice at all...it was much more beautiful in real life. Cell phone pic but at least I have something to remember :)

I had honey onyx on my powder room floor. I would never think of it as soft ...

Mel, I am not certain of the price, sooo many prices then. It seems like it was more but again, I'm not sure. I think remember you are getting white cabinets and that sure would be pretty. A little sun a little snow and more, all in one slab. I hope you find it's kitchen hardy.

mtnrdredux...I would love to see that floor!

I don't have a photo of it. It was just 12" square tiles of honey onyx. I do recall it was not inexpensive, but it was a lot less per sq ft than a slab would be, im sure.

If i remember I will snap a photo. We still own it (just listed it) but we are about 90 mins away.

That looks like onyx which is very soft. it will scratch horribly as counter top. Maybe for a fireplace, shower, walls but not for a kitchen counter.

it is gorgeous..

From an encyclopedia of gemstones at All-That-Gifts.com:

"The layers in these stones range from translucent to opaque for sardonyx. The stones vary in color, too. They may be white or gray, ranging to many colorful varieties. Sardonyx stones usually contain flat-banded, white and brownish-red bands. Onyx is a gemstone with alternating light and dark bands, which are colored in brown, red, black, white and grey."

"Description: SiO2 Onyx is striped, semiprecious variety of the silica mineral agate with white and black, brown or red alternating bands. Its properties are the same as those of quartz."

"Care and treatment: Onyx may chip or scratch rather easily, so store onyx carefully and never allow two specimens to touch each other."

I have seen Honey Onyx stones used in a lot of backsplash tiles lately. Even Lowes carries it.

I'm so glad you found something you love...now to get it back to Alaska!

I've been e-mailing a guy in Alaska about marble...he thinks he might have some old pieces stashed in the back warehouse...but how to get it to eastern Washington? I feel a little of your pain :)

I hope you find something you love as much, or maybe a really good deal on shipping!

lavender_lass - How did you get connected to a guy in Alaska about marble? How funny that we find things that we love are so far away. I guess that makes it more desirable, eh? ;)

Nancy - thanks for that info...nice to know that Lowes carries the stone as a backsplash. Maybe I can go with that option if nothing else.

pharaoh - it would be a beautiful fireplace stone!

mtnrdredux - thanks for offering to snap a pic. :)

Melaska,

Gorgeous rock!!! Keep in mind sales people can say foolish
things. Yes, this stone may not be bullet proof but you
are a GWebber which means you know not to wash your counter
with nail polish remover. You know that if you leave red
wine spilled all over the counter over night you are going
to have issues in the morning. This stone is fine for
countertops if sealed and cleaned reasonably. There is
really nothing special you have to do to care for Onyx.
It is not going to be like cement, corian or formica but
you already know this.
Don't give up on your dream, you have fantastic taste!
~boxerpups

Onyx Countertops Review and Information
http://hubpages.com/hub/Onyx-Countertops

Gardenweb Honey Onyx info (But maybe they are not talking
about a quartz)

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/bath/msg0913414927564.html?7

Some images...

Honey Onyx It glows.

Honey Onyx

HOney Onyx

Isn't this DIVINE!!! A work of art for all to see.

I love these backsplash tiles

Blue Onyx but almost as pretty as your dream slab

I could spend all evening at this bar with my chocolate
martini.

Okay, I love red but this is a bit much for even me.
However if you spill red wine it will blend beautifully. Red Onyx

Here is a link that might be useful: Honey Onyx

Onyx is so beautiful! "They" say not to use it as countertops, but I did see it in a spread a while back, maybe in Domino? I'll have a look and see if I can find it for you. I've seen it used as a backsplash and it was beautiful. Me, I'd use it as a backsplash and figure out some way to pull it forward slightly and backlight it to enhance that amazing unearthly glow.

On the show "Dear Genevieve" (HGTV) the designer recently did a gorgeous kitchen with BM "Chelsea Gray" cabinets and onyx counters for NJ homeowners Greg and Jill. I think it was one of Genevieve's prettiest kitchen designs. I did wonder how durable the onyx counters would be.

You can see portions of the show online at this link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Onyx counters on HGTV

Onyx reminds me of Chinese restaurant bathrooms as it is a very popular decor choice in many of them.
We had onyx look laminate, with a strong mustard yellow tone, for our master bath vanity and cab over the toilet. It was the most important thing to rip out of our house. Real stone is much nicer, but I still can't shake the Chinese bathroom thought.
I think Doonie is the one who has a bs feature with honey onyx tiles in it (simply gorgeous). I think I prefer the honey onyx in the smaller format tiles. Usually, the wilder the stone, the more I love it and want to see it on a large surface, but with onyx, the smaller tiles look nicer to me.

Boxerpups...oh my...my heart is going 'potato, potato'! That bathroom pic is calling my name. That first 'glow' pic is what I'm talking about. You can't see it in the pic DD took of me & the stone - it's in shadow.

Thank you for all those great pics!

anna - I do like the idea of using it for a backsplash so it can be seen better...it's like a work of art.

francoise47 - thanks for that link :)

dianalo - I see what you mean - too much color can give that feeling. That's why I liked the above stone - subtle enough (to me, anyway) not to give that vibe.

Thanks everyone for all your great pics & ideas :)

melaska, gorgeous is right! Now that would have been one heck of a trip souvenir!

Becky

Onyx is stunning, as certainly demonstrated by the specimen you found! I have seen pictures of it used as a counter and definitely as a backsplash. I think you should keep it as an option if you are comfortable with taking a little more care of your counter (just like you might with marble). I have also heard sales people spout off on why certain materials "shouldn't be used in a kitchen" including marble. That does not mean they are right.

Melaska- I was reading an article, that said the marble used for the walls and floors of a building on our university campus came from Alaska. It's gorgeous and obviously, very durable.

When I contacted a company in Alaska to see if they still had marble, I was told it was played out in the 1950s (the building was built in the 1920s) but they might have a few small pieces lying around in a warehouse, somewhere.

I only need a small piece for the island and a vanity...so I was interested, but how to get it to my house? I'm sure the shipping would be much more than the cost of the marble...so the search continues :)

becky - at least I have a picture :) I hope I can find something comparable in Anchorage.

pricklypearcactus - you are right about 'spouting salespeople' lol. You'd think they'd want to research the stones a bit more to SELL them?

I'm so glad I found you all so I can be more comfortable with my choices. Thank you, Gardenweb!!!

lavender - I'm sure you'll be able to find shippers that won't charge an arm & a leg. There are lots to choose from.

www.totemocean.com/

www.lynden.com/

www.horizonlines.com/

directory.uship.com