The fact that I got the blackberries out with bleach, would that indicate that my sample was not sealed?

Oh, I really don't know. Can you ask the place that gave you the sample?

My experience with testing marbles is that they are easy to etch, but hard to stain (if you aren't afraid of bleach). Be sure to test oil though...and throw keys on it to see if the white dings bother you.

I've dinged my marble with a vase. Yes, a vase. about 1/8 inch deep and an inch long. I've also had it stain with --- water, I think. The same vase produced a ring. It was sealed but obviously not enough. I don't know if the water was actually something else or contaminated. It took a poultice and several days to address.

nosoccermom: are you referring to Calacatta quartzite? If so, it's a very porous (though hard) stone and definitely needs to be sealed.

This sat for 12 hours..

Im so glad I didn't let people talk me out of getting marble! We're so hard on it and it still looks great!

No idea whether it was sealed but will try oil and the keys :)

(No, I was referring to Calacatta Marble)

Hi Amber, which marble do you have in your kitchen?

I just submitted a $900.00 bid to a GC to refinish a medium sized marble kitchen and shower walls. He'll put a little on that too.

Love my new marble. Etches, oh yes! Stains, not one. Coffee, tea, rust from base of old tin can. All wipe away easily. I have sealed three times with 511 Porous Plus.

What type of marble do you have, somersetlass?

I'm so jealous, I fantasized early on about getting marble countertops.

Marble remains the "50 Shades of Gray" of countertops. I'd so love to sell fantasy, but my conscience won't allow it.

Trebuchet, I'm considering Calacutta Gold tile for a backsplash.

Do you think the marble should be sealed before and after install? What sealer?

What type of grout and should it be sealed also?

I have Alabama White marble.... And it's not a fantasy. ;). I'm very happy my fabricators were experienced with it and didn't try to talk me out of marble after the initial "not an ideal countertop material" conversation.

We are much harder on it than the majority of GW. Like others said, oil spots and etches, yes. No staining. My 16 month old eats spaghetti directly off the countertop.

designsaavy:

I'd hit it all with some Tenax Proseal after installation and forget about it.

Sounds good. The sealers won't change the color, will it?

Does grout get sealed as well?