Hi Chispa. That’s what I’m gonna do, test the slab and finalize my choices hopefully next week. Countertop is my last big decision, and I just want this kitchen done. I wish that this White Pearl “granite” slab is indeed a whiter version of Taj Mahal quartzite and not some dolomite or marble or “soft quartzite. “ I don’t even know how I can do the etch test as the salesman said he doesn’t have any small piece for me to take home. I’ll bring a glass tile and try to do a glass test. But the sides of the slab are sealed or wrapped with a hard plastic or resin ?

Thank you all so much for posting your comments here, reading all your comments finally helped me make a decision! We decided to go for leathered Taj for our kitchen renovation. Bacskplash, countertops, island…We have dark, honed marble now and ceaserstone and the marble etched and stained horribly. We were thinking of dolomitic stone ( similar to marble, not as stain resistant as quartzite) but after reading comments here, I decided for leathered TM. I do not want to worry, we cook a lot and are not super careful….Thank you. I will Post photos when ready, but here is the slab for now. It is polished, the stone place gets it honed or leathered. I like the look and feel of leathered stone.

why not do a dramatic granite and a plain b/s?? you are not stuck to TM., there are so many awesome granites. i would not pair man-made counters with a real stone b/s. it never looks right. with your cabs and floor, you can really go in any direction. your not stuck to a brown and white kitchen. on my monitor, your floors seem to cast a peachy tone. sorry to say, i don't like any of your choices. not a fan of carrara, i like calcutta gold for marble. like the TM, but not with the b/s u have picked out. #3, a no-go with fake and real (counters and b/s). bring your floor & cab sample to the stone yard and go from there. if u have your paint picked out even better. pick your counters, then go for b/s. bring samples home and see them in your kitchen and lighting. as said above, its very difficult to pick everything from a small sample in a store.

@typeandrun, thank you for the response and feedback. Just out of curiosity, was honing an option when you were making your decision. This gives it the matte look but without the texture. We are going with a dark greenisland and warm white perimeter cabinets and I really like the Taj Mahal. I just want to make sure I get slabs that are more cream than beige. That's the toughest part b/c they look so different in the warehouses than they will in real life.