So glad you posted this. I will have to see if it is available here in Austin yet as I've been wanting something that looks like white marble (but is tougher) for my bathrooms. I'll post a picture if they have anything larger than one of those tiny little tiles that I can look at. Even if all they have is a tiny tile, I'll try to let you know whether I think it looks similar enough to white marble to "pass" or just looks sort of cheesy. I'm using Silestone in the Amarillo Palmira color in my kitchen and will probably stick with that there b/c I don't think DH would like white countertops in the kitchen. Again, thanks for the heads-up!

Thanks for the clarification, Steff. I agree the green granite goes better with the autumn colors above. I think I just wanted to make the green granite go with it, because I like it, and because it took several beatings pretty well. But, I like the most recent backsplash better that the green granite, so I just have to find a more suitable counter. Regarding the honed absolute, it seems many others on this website say the same thing. Wonder about any other honed granites that might go well with the backsplash and not have such maintanence issues. Before I settle on the caesarstone, I do want to explore (exhaust?) the options. I saw today (here I go again), in a high end house basement laundry room, a gray concrete counter and sink that I believe would go well. However, I've read about cracking and scratching. Almost done with this particular decision... Thanks everybody.

If it helps any, I've also been considering these. The sample I saw of the zodiac was indeed more contrasty, but I personally didn't care for it--looked more like ink lines or limestone than marble, but it's a nice look if that's your style. Where I am the Misty Carrera is more expensive because Caesarstone is more than Zodiac. I think this varies greatly by region, so you should check locally. You probably couldn't find a picture of the zodiac because it's really "Bianco Carrara".. Pic: Here's a thread that shows them side by side (scroll down): Here is a link that might be useful: bianco carrara meets Misty Carrera

I just wanted to follow up on the countertop I chose. I loved the look of shiny white marble but knew that our family would ruin it. I ordered a sample of okite, as I mentioned above, and the veining was very green. I happened to see another sample at Ikea that had no green veining. I asked whether I could see a full slab and they told me the name of the company that supplied Ikea's product. I went to their plant and asked to see the slabs. For some reason, they did not want to show quartzite slabs, but only wanted to show granite slabs. It must have something to do with the commission. When I insisted, they let me see the slabs. Some had green veining, some had a lot of black veining but some had a very white background and a small amount of black veining, just like marble. I chose the slab and they were installed about 9 months ago. I LOVE THEM. They are stain-proof, etch-proof and beautiful. The veining does not look as authentic as marble, but it is close enough for me. I will post a picture later (my kids took my camera) Thought you might want to know to look for Zodiaq/Okite Bianco Carrera