Please, if you make recommendations to NOT use these slabs please also tell us about your credentials to base your advice on stone, or at least your personal experience with the specific stone, or at a minimum "where" you heard that it isn't a good stone. We do appreciate the comments, we just would like the opportunity to know how much weight to give them. We are still investigating this stone and we will be discussing it with our fabricator today who will have the opportunity to see the slabs in person. There are many kitchen countertops with Kozmus, Cosmos, Saturnia (and other names) with photos posted across the internet as well as within this forum with owners who frankly love their countertops. So, maybe it's more about the specific slabs or about the ability of the fabricator. I know that it is not an easy stone to fabricate. As far as "not suitable" for kitchen counters, there are professionals who say that marble isn't suitable for kitchens and there's plenty installed and doing well. Here is a link that might be useful: Member who has and loves it

sringroz- thank you for your support, and comments. angie DIY- thank you. He will learn, as we all have leaned. Nothing good comes from getting down into the mud, take the high road, and have a clear conscience. Cavimum- thanks for your kind words. That is a good idea to think of the BBB, if all else fails. I believe you have hit the nail on the head. his project is probably out of his range. I say that due to many factors. My eye for detail is keen, and he'd like to sweep it by me, and tell me," he promises to love me in the morning." My daughter recommended him, as he is a close friend. So, I did not do my due diligence, and check him out, and plan the fine details.He apparently did million dollar homes in Bermuda. Now, I find that had to believe, as he left unfinished edges for my stove opening, saying, you won't SEE it. Guess he's never boiled over any stock pots. Thank you again. phylhl-thx for you insight. I think you are right, and the same thing occurred here. He was really surprised at some of the things I brought to his attention. For example the island pendants. They were roughed in incorrectly by electrician, who didn't have a template of where the island would go. My GC wasn't ready and guessed.I pointed out the proper placement, as I had measured it.My GC overrode my instructions to the poor electrician. They were put in the centre of the cabinet under the island, but not the centre of the counter. So, the differnce being 30", put the rough ins over top of the sink placement. GC brushed me off, and indicated if I didn't like it at the end, he would come back and move them at that point. However when the pendant party day came, the electrician agreed with me and moved them.I hope you find this story amusing, as these things happen, and now I can laugh! Could you post a picture of your kitchen? SkidKid- thanks for your explanation, as you are dead right. I lost faith in his judgement from the first day, when he told me to ignore my first flooring quote that I sourced myself, and let him call them back. It was the same price, but the baseboards and appliance and furniture moving, were removed. I let him shush me, hoping he had a plan.Yep, he did! Pay the price, an extra $600.00, and pay him again to install the bbboards! Avoiding a fight with him, I foolishly went ahead and did just that, since he is a close friend of my daughter's. Then, my four door samsung fridge was dented about five times, as he refused to listen to me when asked to remove it, saying I was a negative person.Flooring company is covering the cost to replace the $500 damaged drawer. Sorry, for the rant, but now I can look back with knowledge and know I must assert myself with these guys. I am retired, and always here and it drove him crazy. I agree, because most renos have people away at work. I find your "sealer" tip very useful. There is some left, and I will try this tonight, and post my results. Thank you deb52899- many thanks for your compliments. When that granite was brought out for viewing, it took my breath away, and I had to hold back the tears. CEFreeman- good points you have made here. Yes, " Trust me, I'm from the government, and I am here to help you". I 90always check and verify, when I am given information. Th\is did not bode well with him. I appreciate your advice to cut him loose. I am at the end of this project, and found this forum last week. He asked for, and I gave him, 60% up front, and 30% when materials arrived. This investment left me committed to him. Live and learn. I was trying to trust. CEFreeman- I can't wait to tell him what you have posted. weissman- will keep you posted oldryder- well bless my soul, I am not the only one! It does matter where you cut, and can change the whole look. Thanks for understanding, and your information about templating. phyll- thx, the veins are awesome

Yeah, there are two issues here. One is the contractor etched your countertop. Oops. But fixable. The much larger issue is the stone was misidentified. It will continue to etch. If you feel like taking this on with your supplier, you have excellent grounds to do so. Sadly, this is a common problem. I encourage those who have been sold a misidentified stone to complain to their supplier because that is one of the few things that would motivate them to be more careful in their labeling of stone. I feel your pain. I hope you can find a resolution! Let me know if you need geologic advice, I've helped several others who were in your shoes.

We have soapstone in our current/old house that we inherited from the previous owners, and once I stopped trying to keep it oiled and perfect every minute of the day, I fell in love with it. We’ve lived in this house for five years and the soapstone has been here for nine years and we haven’t had any chips. We have had surface scratches, but it took something pretty hefty to gouge the counter. They aren’t easily visible after being oiled once. We just bought a new house and would have automatically gone with soapstone in the kitchen, but the kitchen is small and dark, and so we wanted to bring in a surface that reflected light. Ultimately, I think that it boils down to what kind of person you are. Would you prefer to have perfectly uniform counters at all times? I’d considered leathered granite then. If you’re okay with counters that look like they’re used and loved, I don’t think you can go wrong with soapstone. For full disclosure, we also have a zinc island that has a beautiful patina, so we’re good with that kind of thing.